title: Dynamic Changes of Treg and Th17 Cells and Related Cytokines Closely Correlate With the Virological and Biochemical Response in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Undergoing Nucleos(t)ide Analogues Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The restoration of HBV-specific T-cell response during antiviral therapy is associated with CD4+T-cell activity. Treg cells and Th17 cells are subtypes of CD4+T cell. However, it has remained unknown how the Treg and Th17 cells and their associated cytokines affect nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) antiviral efficacy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to provide a new insight to evaluate the NA antiviral therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four CHB patients hospitalized between July 2010 and August 2011 were enrolled in this study. They were received NA (entecavir, lamivudine and adefovir) treatment for 14.42 ± 13.08 weeks, and the peripheral blood was collected. The frequencies of Treg and Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometric analysis, and the levels of IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-17 and IL-23 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In complete and partial-responders, Treg cells frequencies and IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-23 levels were all decreased significantly after NA therapy, while Th17 cells and the IL-17 levels were increased slightly. Treg/Th17 ratio was only dramatically declined in complete-responders. But there was no significant difference in non-responders. Either HBV DNA decreased by at least 2 log copies /mL or ALT turned to normal level, Treg cells frequencies and IL-10, TGF-β1, IL-23 levels were significantly reduced. Meanwhile, Treg cells were positively correlated with HBV DNA and ALT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The changes of Treg and Th17 cells and their associated cytokines were related to virological and biochemical responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Hospital of Quanzhou, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Hospital of Quanzhou, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ru-Yi
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, the First Hospital of Quanzhou, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Mi-Long
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, the First Hospital of Quanzhou, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: De-Song
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ming
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, the First Hospital of Quanzhou, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Zu
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second People's Hospital of Pingxiang, Pingxiang, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, the First Hospital of Quanzhou, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Zhong
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Hospital of Quanzhou, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Su
keywords: Cytokines; Hepatitis B, Chronic; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Th17 Cells