title: Assessment of intrahepatic regulatory T cells in children with autoimmune hepatitis.
abstract: Background. T-cell populations regulate the balance of immune responses. The CD (Cluster of differentiation) 4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for maintaining negative control of various immune responses. There are different T-cell subpopulations with regulatory functions, as natural killer T cells, CD8+ and CD28. The forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) regulates Treg development and is required for its suppressive function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the hepatic expression of the intrahepatic Tregs, Ig (immunoglobulin) G and IgM plasma cells in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and other chronic liver diseases (CLDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 100 pediatric patients; 50 AIH and 50 CLDs other than AIH. All patients were subjected to routine investigations of CLDs plus immune-staining of liver tissue for FOXp3, IgG and IgM plasma cells, CD4 and CD8 T-cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FOXP3+ T cells in patients with AIH (6.3 ± 5) were significantly higher than that in the non-AIH (2.1 ± 2.6). FOXP3+ T cells were abundant in liver tissue with marked inflammatory cellular infiltrate. CD4+ and CD8+ infiltrating the liver tissue and IgG positive cells were significantly higher in AIH group, while the expression of IgM positive cells showed no significant difference. The IgG/IgM was significantly higher in the AIH treatment responders (3 ± 3) than non-responders (1.6 ± 0.5), while there was no significant difference regarding the intrahepatic expression of FOXP3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells, T-cells, IgG and IgM plasma cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrahepatic Tregs were increased in number in patients with AIH in the initial presentation, and their presence is associated with increased activity and inflammation in liver biopsy.
authors: Pediatric Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt.
authors: Behairy E
authors: BE
authors: Behairy
authors: Pediatric Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt.
authors: Hanaa A
authors: HA
authors: El-Araby
authors: Gastroenterology and Nutrition Dep. Arizona University USA, Arizona, USA.
authors: Hasan H
authors: HH
authors: Abd El Kader
authors: Pathology Department, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt.
authors: Nermin A
authors: NA
authors: Ehsan
authors: Pediatric Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt.
authors: Menan E
authors: ME
authors: Salem
authors: Pediatric Department, Quesna Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Quesna, Menofia, Egypt.
authors: Haidy M
authors: HM
authors: Zakaria
authors: Pediatric Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt.
authors: Mohammed A
authors: MA
authors: Khedr
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M