ABSTRACT
AIM: To study functional activity of natural killers on different stages of fibrosis during chronic hepatitis C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional activity of CD3-/CD56+/CD16+ lymphocytes measured as expression of natural killers receptors (NKR) and natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR) was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: At stage I of fibrosis, decrease of number of CD3-/CD56+/NKG2D+ cells was observed, whereas at precirrhotic stage III--sharp decrease of CD3-/CD56+/CD94+ and CD3-/ CD56+/NKG2D+ populations, and at cirrhotic stage--decrease of number of CD3-/CD56+/ NKG2D+ cells and increase of cytolytic activity of natural killers carrying CD107a marker compared to precirrhotic stage. CONCLUSION: Obtained data demonstrate that natural killers during chronic hepatitis C receive regulatory signals mainly through lectin type receptors (CD94 and NKG2D).
