[Dynamic changes of B7-H1 expression on mDCs and T cells in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with PEG-IFN alpha-2a].
OBJECTIVE
To study the dynamic changes of B7-H1 expression on myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and T cells in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing PEG-IFN alpha-2a therapy, and to analyze the association of the changes with the efficiency of interferon-alpha therapy.


METHODS
Expressions of B7-H1 on mDCs and T cells in 14 patients with chronic HBV infection, including 6 responders and 8 non-responders to the antiviral therapy, were monitored by using flow cytometric analysis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients were incubated in vitro and the numbers of IFN-gamma-producing antigen-specific T cells were measured using ELISPOT assay.


RESULTS
B7-H1 expressions by mDCs, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were all significantly upregulated at 4 weeks after starting PEG-IFN alpha-2a therapy. After this time point, B7-H1 expressions persistently decreased in the responders to the antiviral treatment, while non-responders maintained high levels of B7-H1 expression. In addition, the frequency of HBV-specific IFN-gamma-producing T cells significantly increased in the responders, but significantly decreased in the non-responders. Blocking the B7-H1 signal pathway increased the numbers of HBV-specific IFN-gamma-producing T cells in both the responders and non-responders.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic changes of B7-H1 expression by mDCs and T cells in CHB patients undergoing PEG-IFN alpha-2a therapy can predict the efficiency of the therapy. Blocking the B7-H1 inhibitory pathway likely enhances the antiviral cellular T-cell responses.
Li
Yong-gang
YG
Department of Infectious Diseases, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039, China.
Chen
Liang-en
LE
Chen
Guo-feng
GF
Wang
Fu-sheng
FS
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; C423236:CD274 protein, human; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a