Frequency of Intrahepatic FoxP3+ Regulatory T cells during the Natural Course of Chronic Hepatitis B: An Immunohistochemical Study Using Needle-Biopsied Liver Tissue
Korean Journal of Pathology
; : 132-140, 2010.
Article
in Ko
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-48179
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may contribute to the immunological hyporesponsiveness against hepatitis B virus (HBV), and this can result in chronic infection. Tregs suppress the T cell responses directed against HBV and they protect hepatocytes by down-regulating the immune responses that cause liver damage, but the role of Tregs has not been well characterized. METHODS: Fifty four patients were selected and classified into three groups (12 were in the immune-tolerance phase, 35 were in the immune-clearance phase and 7 were in the asymptomatic virus carrier phase). We examined the frequency of CD3+, CD4+ & CD8+ T cells and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ Tregs in the needle-biopsied liver tissue by performing immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The FoxP3+ Tregs were mainly located at the portal tracts. In the immune-clearance phase, the frequency of FoxP3+ Tregs was significantly increased compared to that of the immune-tolerance group and the asymptomatic carrier group. Increased FoxP3+ T cells were observed in the patients with a higher histologic inflammatory index. No correlation was observed among the numbers of FoxP3+ Tregs, the serum alanine aminotransferase level, detection of HBeAg and the HBV-DNA viral load. CONCLUSIONS: FoxP3+ Tregs may play important roles in suppressing the immune response to HBV and the complete elimination of HBV.
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Viruses
/
T-Lymphocytes
/
Hepatitis B virus
/
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
/
Hepatitis B, Chronic
/
Hepatocytes
/
Alanine Transaminase
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Hepatitis B e Antigens
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Hepatitis, Chronic
/
Liver
Limits:
Humans
Language:
Ko
Journal:
Korean Journal of Pathology
Year:
2010
Type:
Article