Circulating T follicular helper cells are associated with rapid virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing peginterferon therapy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with abnormal T cell and B cell immune responses. T follicular helper (TFH) cells are a subset of CD4(+) T-helper cells and can activate B cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of circulating CXCR5(+)CD4(+) TFH cells, CD19(+) B cells and the associated cytokines in patients with chronic HCV infection.

METHODS:

The frequencies and phenotypes of circulating TFH cells and B cell subtypes were characterized using flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and in healthy controls (HCs). The expression of IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-23, TGF-β1, IL-10 and IL-21 associated with Th1, Th2, Th17, regulatory T cells (Treg) and TFH cells were analyzed using a Quantibody array. The patients' clinical parameters were detected, and the effect of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment on these immune indicators in CHC patients was determined.

RESULTS:

The frequency of CXCR5(+)CD4(+) T cells was significantly higher in CHC patients compared to HCs. There were no significant differences in CD19(+) B cells, CD19(+)CD27(+) B cells, or CD19(+)CD38(+) B cells between CHC patients and HCs. The expressions of cytokines associated with the CD4(+) Th lineage were higher in CHC patients than in HCs, except for IL-21. Patients with rapid virological response (RVR) showed an increased CXCR5(+)CD4(+) T cell count and decreased PD-1(+) CXCR5(+)CD4(+) T cell count compared to non-RVR patients after PEG-IFN/ribavirin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data demonstrate that circulating TFH cells and CD4(+) Th lineage-associated cytokines may play a role in HCV-related immune responses.

• Authors: Miao Zhang, Li Zhang, Hu Li, Zhiwei Chen, Aoran Luo, Bin Liu, Min Chen, Mingli Peng, Hong Ren, Peng Hu
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 34 Pg. 235-243 (May 2016) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 26971227 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD19
• CXCR5 protein, human
• Cytokines
• Interferon-alpha
• Receptors, CXCR5
• Recombinant Proteins
• Polyethylene Glycols
• peginterferon alfa-2a

Topics

• Adult
• Antigens, CD19 (metabolism)
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Female
• Fibrosis
• Hepatitis C (immunology)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (immunology, therapy)
• Humans
• Immunotherapy (methods)
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Liver (drug effects, pathology)
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyethylene Glycols (therapeutic use)
• Receptors, CXCR5 (metabolism)
• Recombinant Proteins (therapeutic use)
• T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer (immunology)
• Young Adult