Dysregulation of blood lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cells in schistosomal liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Immunological factors are important in the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of hepatobiliary diseases. Using flow cytometry, we determined the changes in lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cells in 123 individuals [81 patients with liver disease and 42 healthy volunteers]. The liver diseases included periportal fibrosis [PPF, 10 patients]. liver cirrhosis [LC, 31 patients], and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC, 40 patients]. Schistosomiasis and viral hepatitis B and C were the putative etiological agents of liver diseases. Immunophenotyping by indirect immunofluorescence was conducted using monoclonal antibodies to CD3 [T-lymphocytes], CD4 [helper/inducer T-cells], CD8 [suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells] and CD 57 [natural killer cells] cell surface markers. Immunophenotyping of PPF patients showed no significant changes in all markers compared with the healthy controls. However, there was a significant decrease [P<0.01] in CD3 and CD4 T-cells, and a highly significant increase [P<0.001] in CD 57 T-cells in patients with LC or HCC. In addition, LC and HCC patients showed no significant change in CD8 T-cells compared with controls. The progression of liver diseases is associated with a dysregulation of cellular immune responses. T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of LC and HCC