Abstract | OBJECTIVE: One of the side effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy is interferon-induced thyroiditis (IIT). The role of lymphocyte subpopulations in IIT remains to be defined. The aim of this study was to assess different peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, mainly CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127low/-FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who developed IIT. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 120 patients with chronic HCV who started antiviral treatment, those who developed IIT (IIT patients) were selected and compared with patients who did not develop IIT (Co-HCV). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained before treatment (BT), mid-treatment (MT), end of treatment (ET), 24 weeks post-treatment (PT) and at appearance of IIT (TT). RESULTS: Eleven patients developed IIT: three Hashimoto's thyroiditis, one Graves'disease, one positive antithyroidal antibodies, one nonautoimmune hypothyroidism and five destructive thyroiditis. During antiviral treatment, an increase in CD8(+) and in Tregs was observed in both groups. A decrease in CD3(+) , CD19(+) and NKT lymphocyte subpopulations was also observed (all P < 0·05). However, no changes were observed in the percentage of CD4(+) , CD3(+) γδ(+) and iNKT lymphocytes, Th1/Th2 balance and Bcl2 expression on B cells when BT was compared with ET. At the appearance of IIT (TT), IIT patients had a higher Th1 response (CCR5(+) CCR7(-) ) (P < 0·01) and a higher Tregs percentage (P < 0·05) than Co-HCV. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to the immunomodulatory effects of IFN-α on different lymphocyte subpopulations and a possible role of Th1 response and Tregs in patients with HCV who developed IIT.
|
Authors | Berta Soldevila, Núria Alonso, Maria J Martínez-Arconada, Maria L Granada, Diogo Baía, Virginia Vallejos, Manuel Fraile, Rosa M Morillas, Ramon Planas, Ricardo Pujol-Borrell, Eva M Martínez-Cáceres, Anna M Sanmartí |
Journal | Clinical endocrinology
(Clin Endocrinol (Oxf))
Vol. 75
Issue 4
Pg. 535-43
(Oct 2011)
ISSN: 1365-2265 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21592168
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Copyright | © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Interferons
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Antiviral Agents
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Humans
- Interferons
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Lymphocyte Subsets
(immunology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
(immunology)
- Thyroiditis
(chemically induced, immunology)
|