Characteristic changes and their significance of peripheral follicular helper T cell subsets in liver transplant patients / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of follicular helper T (Tfh) cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with liver transplantation (LT) and relevance to the prognosis. Methods Eleven liver transplant patients with stable liver function were enrolled in this study. The frequencies of Tfh subsets were examined by flow cytometry. The frequencies and the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were monitored dynamically within one month after LT. Results The frequency of CD4+CXCR5+CXCR3–CCR6– Tfh2 subset in peripheral blood increased significantly after LT as compared with those before transplantation (P<0.05). In addition, the frequency of CD4+CXCR5+CXCR3–CCR6+ Tfh17 subset in peripheral blood showed a trend of increase. The frequency of CD4+CXCR5+CXCR3+CCR6– Tfh1 subset, however, showed a downtrend, but no statistical difference was found. Conclusion The subsets of Tfh2 and Tfh17 may be involved in the regulation of alloimmune response and play a role in maintaining liver function stability in liver transplant patients.