Investigation of FoxP3 expression in peripheral blood and liver tissue of patients with hepatitis B / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (FoxP3) expression in peripheral blood and liver-infiltrating lymphocytes (LIL) of patients with hepatitis B. Methods Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR were employed for Fox P3 analysis of blood or live tissue obtained from patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB), chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB), as well as health controls. Results Fox P3 mRNA and protein expressions were specifically identified in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. The level of Fox P3 mRNA in CD4+ T cells was identical with that in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell in peripheral blood. In CSHB patients a significant increase of Fox P3 mRNA expression was found in peripheral blood. The mean relative FoxP3 mRNA levels of CD4+ T cells in CSHB patients, AHB patients, CHB patients, and healthy controls were 0.199?0.174, 0.053?0.017, 0.059?0.053, and 0.056?0.021, respectively (CSHB group vs. other groups, P all