title: Increased frequency of CD56Bright NK-cells, CD3-CD16+CD56- NK-cells and activated CD4+T-cells or B-cells in parallel with CD4+CDC25High T-cells control potentially viremia in blood donors with HCV.
abstract: A detailed phenotypic analysis of major and minor circulating lymphocyte subsets is described in potential blood donors with markers of hepatitis C virus (HCV), including non-viremic and viremic groups. Although there were no changes in the hematological profile of either group, increased the levels of pre-NK cells (CD3-CD16+CD56-) and a lower frequency of mature NK cells (CD3-CD16+CD56+) characterized innate immunity in the non-viremic group. Both non-viremic and viremic groups displayed significantly increased levels of CD56(Bright) NK cells. Furthermore, this subset was significantly elevated in the viremic subgroup with a low viral load. In addition, an increase in the NKT2 subset was observed only in this subgroup. An enhanced frequency of activated CD4+ T-cells (CD4+HLA-DR+) was a characteristic feature of the non-viremic group, whereas elevated CD19+ B-cells and CD19+CD86+ cell populations were the major phenotypic features of the viremic group, particularly in individuals with a low viral load. Although CD4+CD25High T-cells were significantly elevated in both the viremic and non-viremic groups, it was particularly evident in the viremic low viral load subgroup. A parallel increase in CD4+CD25High T-cells, pre-NK, and activated CD4+ T-cells was observed in the non-viremic group, whereas a parallel increase in CD4+CD25High T-cells and CD19+ B-cells was characteristic of the low viral load subgroup. These findings suggest that CD56Bright NK cells, together with pre-NK cells and activated CD4+ T-cells in combination with CD4+CD25High T-cells, might play an important role in controlling viremia. Elevated CD56(Bright) NK cells, B-cell responses and a T-regulated immunological profile appeared to be associated with a low viral load.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz-Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Alice Sant'anna
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zarife
authors.forename: Eliana Almeida Gomes
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Theomira Mauadie Azevedo
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Carmo
authors.forename: Gisele Barreto
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Emilia Carolina Malafaia
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.forename: Helder Reis
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Nelma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Olindo Assis
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Martins-Filho
authors.forename: Mitermayer Galvão
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001782:Blood Donors; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD