Anti-CD3-activated T cells from chronic nonviremic HBV carriers are hyperreactive to monocytic accessory signals.
We analyzed T cell responses through the CD3 activation pathway in a group of chronic HBV carriers. PBMC stimulated with the mAb OKT3 showed higher proliferative response in HBV-DNA(-) carriers compared to HBV-DNA(+) carriers and to controls. In contrast, no differences in proliferative responses were observed between HBV-DNA(-) carriers and controls in cell cultures stimulated with immobilized 64.1 mAb (SPB-64.1) which induces proliferation in the absence of monocytes. We further examined T cell responses in the presence of monocytes and their soluble factors to immobilized OKT3 mAb (SPB-OKT3). Purified T cells did not proliferate to SPB-OKT3. When autologous monocytes were added, higher proliferative response, IL-2 production, and IL-2 receptor expression were observed in HBV-DNA(-) carriers than in controls. An enhanced cell proliferation was also obtained when monocyte supernatants were added to T cells cultured with SPB-OKT3. Moreover, when IL-6 alone or combined with IL-1 was added to SPB-OKT3-stimulated T cell cultures, a significantly higher increase in T cell proliferation was detected in HBV-DNA(-) carriers. Our results thus show a T cell hyperreactivity to accessory signals from monocytes (mainly IL-6) in HBV-DNA(-) carriers, that is probably related to an ongoing viral clearance.
Baroja
M L
ML
Institute of Immunology, Central University School of Medicine, Caracas, Venezuela.
Sirit
F L
FL
Caldera
D J
DJ
Toro
F I
FI
Zabaleta
M E
ME
Colmenares
C J
CJ
Bianco
N E
NE
Machado
I V
IV
D000328:Adult; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000502:physiology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2