title: B-cell-associated immune profiles in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous observations on immune dysfunction in decompensated cirrhosis have raised the possibility of B-cell impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  B-cell subsets in decompensated cirrhotic patients were investigated. Twenty-six decompensated cirrhotic patients and 26 healthy controls were included in this study. The percentages of B-cell subsets, such as mature, memory, immature B cells, and interleukin (IL)-10+-B-cell subpopulations, were measured using fluorescent activated cell sorting. B-cell-associated cytokines (IL-10, IL-21 and IL-4) were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of total B cells and mature B cells increased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis compared to healthy controls. The proportions of memory B cells were significantly lower in the decompensated cirrhosis group than the control group. However, the frequency of immature B cells and the percentage of IL-10-expressing cells that were CD19+, memory, mature, or immature B cells were not significantly different between the two groups. Serum levels of IL-10, IL-21, and IL-4 were significantly lower in the decompensated cirrhosis group compared to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate significant alterations in peripheral blood B-cell subsets in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Specifically, a profound reduction of memory B cells was observed in spite of an increase in total B-cell populations in decompensated cirrhotic patients. This implies the underlying mechanisms of impaired immune response in these patients.
authors: Conversant Research Consortium in Immunologic Disease, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul , Korea.
authors: Joo Yeon
authors: JY
authors: Jhun
authors: Hee Yeon
authors: HY
authors: Kim
authors: Jae Kyeong
authors: JK
authors: Byun
authors: Byung Ha
authors: BH
authors: Chung
authors: Si Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Bae
authors: Seung Kew
authors: SK
authors: Yoon
authors: Dong Goo
authors: DG
authors: Kim
authors: Chul Woo
authors: CW
authors: Yang
authors: Mi-La
authors: ML
authors: Cho
authors: Jong Young
authors: JY
authors: Choi
mesh_terms: D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D066106:Seoul
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines
keywords: B-lymphocyte subsets; immunity; interleukin-10; liver cirrhosis