Effect of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C on the frequency of regulatory T cells, T-cell activation, and serum levels of TGF-beta.
The aim was to analyze T-regulatory cells (Tregs), activated CD8(+) T cells, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF)-β in hepatitis C patients. We enrolled 31 patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 30 seropositive persons with spontaneous HCV elimination, and 23 healthy volunteers. The patients were examined at the beginning of the interferon-alpha (IFN-α)-based therapy (baseline) and at weeks 4 (W4) and 12 (W12) of the therapy. The percentage of Tregs and the expression of activation markers CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8(+) T cells were analyzed in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Serum levels of TGF-β were measured in a multiplex assay using flow cytometry. The percentage of Tregs in patients was higher than in controls and seropositive persons. Similarly, the percentage of CD8(+) T cells expressing CD38 and HLA-DR was higher in patients compared with controls and seropositive persons. Chronic HCV infection is associated with elevated circulating Tregs and activated CD8(+) T cells. During IFN-α-based therapy these cells gradually increase, whereas TGF-β serum levels decrease.
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Na Bulovce Hospital, Prague 8, Czech Republic.
Pavel
P
Chalupa
Department of Infectious Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Military University Hospital Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
Alžběta
A
Davidová
Department of Infectious Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Military University Hospital Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
Ondřej
O
Beran
Department of Infectious Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Military University Hospital Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
Simona
S
Arientová
Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Teaching Hospital, Hradec Kralové, Czech Republic.
Pavel
P
Boštík
Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Teaching Hospital, Hradec Kralové, Czech Republic.
Jaroslav
J
Kapla
Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Teaching Hospital, Hradec Kralové, Czech Republic.
Kateřina
K
Kondělková
Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Teaching Hospital, Hradec Kralové, Czech Republic.
Stanislav
S
Plíšek
Department of Infectious Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Military University Hospital Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
Michal
M
Holub
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005838:Genotype; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D012254:Ribavirin; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1
CD38; Hepatitis C virus; interferon; regulatory T cells; transforming growth factor-beta