title: Increased Frequencies of Circulating IFN-γ-Producing Vδ1(+) and Vδ2(+) γδ T Cells in Patients with Asymptomatic Persistent Hepatitis B Virus Infection.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The outcome of HBV infection is largely determined by the host immune response, with virus-specific cytotoxic T cells being able to mediate immunity against HBV as well as causing liver pathology. γδ T cells are reported to be depleted in patients with HBV-associated liver disease. However, it is not known if these cells control HBV infection in patients with asymptomatic chronic HBV infection. In this study, the frequencies, phenotypes, and interferon-γ production were examined by circulating γδ T cell subsets in a group of asymptomatic HBV carriers with low viral loads and little evidence of liver disease. It is shown that γδ T cells expressing Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cell receptors and effector-memory phenotypes are found at higher frequencies in these patients compared to controls. Vδ2 T cells from the patients expressed interferon-γ significantly more frequently than Vδ2 T cells from healthy donors in the absence of ex vivo stimulation. These data suggest that effector-memory IFN-γ-producing Vδ2 T cells may contribute to the control of HBV in patients with asymptomatic infection, without mediating liver pathology.
authors: 1 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Trinity College , Dublin, Ireland .
authors: Melissa J
authors: MJ
authors: Conroy
authors: Ross
authors: R
authors: Mac Nicholas
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Taylor
authors: Siobhan
authors: S
authors: O'Dea
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Mulcahy
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: Norris
authors: Derek G
authors: DG
authors: Doherty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D007371:Interferon-gamma