title: Lower number and decreased function of natural killer cells in hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) refers to acute deterioration occurring in patients with chronic hepatitis B infected liver diseases. An abnormality in NK cells mediated cellular immunity is believed to be a contributing factor. We aimed to evaluate the characteristic of NK cells in the peripheral blood of HBV related ACLF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Flow cytometric method was used to detect the absolute numbers and subgroups of NK cells, and analyze the cytotoxicity and killing ability of NK cells in patients with HBV-ACLF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that peripheral numbers of NK cells were decreased in patients with HBV-ACLF, but not statistically significant. The cytotoxic CD56dimCD16brightNK cells were significantly decreased in HBV infected patients, especially ACLF patients. The CD56brightCD16-subgroup was expanded in patients with CHB and the CD56dimCD16-subgroup was expanded in patients with ACLF. The activating receptors of NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, and NKp46 were increased in patients with ACLF. The inhibitory receptors of CD158a were increased, though the CD158b was decreased in patients of ACLF. The function of NK cells including cytotoxicity and killing activity were both downregulated in patients with ACLF and CHB. Even if after IL-12/15 stimulation, INF-γ and TNF-α produced by patients with ACLF were still less than those produced by healthy controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with HBV-ACLF had lower numbers and decreased functions of cytotoxic NK cells.
authors.affiliation: Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xuezhang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shaoli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ruichuang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hongling
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Dongze
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States. Electronic address: yawei.zhang@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Yawei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China. Electronic address: xinshaojie302@163.com.
authors.forename: Shaojie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xin
mesh_terms: D065290:Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism; D055636:Receptors, Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019002:CD56 Antigen; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D055636:Receptors, Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma