Ratios of regulatory T cells/T-helper 17 cells and transforming growth factor-β1/interleukin-17 to be associated with the development of hepatitis B virus-associated liver cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of the regulatory T cells (Treg)/T-helper (Th) 17 cells and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/interleukin-17 (IL-17) ratios with the survival and disease progression in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated liver cirrhosis (LC).


METHODS
The frequencies of Treg and Th17 cells were analyzed in 28 patients with HBV-LC, 70 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 20 normal controls (NC) by flow cytometry. The levels of cytokines related to Treg/Th17 differentiation, including IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-17, and IL-23, were measured by ELISA.


RESULTS
Compared with NC, Treg cells were significantly increased in CHB patients and slightly increased in HBV-LC patients, whereas Th17 cells were markedly increased both in patients with CHB and HBV-LC. HBV-LC patients, especially the nonsurvival ones, manifested a profound decrease in the Treg/Th17 ratio, which was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh and model of end-stage liver disease scores. Serum IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-17, and IL-23 levels were all significantly higher in HBV-LC patients than in NC. In addition, the TGF-β1/IL-17 ratio was also markedly increased in patients with HBV-LC, especially in nonsurvival and decompensated liver cirrhosis patients, and positively correlated with total bilirubin, Child-Pugh, and model of end-stage liver disease scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The decreased Treg/Th17 ratio and increased TGF-β1/IL-17 ratio may be associated with the survival and disease progression in HBV-LC patients, and both of the two ratios can be used independently to predict the prognosis and disease progression of HBV-LC patients.
Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
Xueping
X
Yu
Ruyi
R
Guo
Desong
D
Ming
Milong
M
Su
Chengzu
C
Lin
Yong
Y
Deng
Zhenzhong
Z
Lin
Zhijun
Z
Su
D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D020381:Interleukin-17; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
TGF-β1; Th17 cells; Treg cells; hepatitis B virus; interleukin-17; liver cirrhosis