In:
Liver International, Wiley, Vol. 33, No. 10 ( 2013-11), p. 1517-1526
Abstract:
The important pathophysiological role of immune dysfunction, especially innate immune dysfunction in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure ( ACLF ), has been investigated in recent years, but dysregulation of adaptive immunity remains poorly elucidated. The aim of this study was to (i) determine the CD 3 + T‐lymphocyte count and the balance between CD 4 + regulatory T (Tregs) and conventional T cells (Tconv) in hepatitis B virus ( HBV )‐related ACLF patients; (ii) analyse the frequencies of Tregs subpopulations; and (iii) assess the suppressive potency of CD 4 + Tregs and each fraction. Methods We enrolled 20 HBV ‐ ACLF patients, 10 septic shock subjects, 20 chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ) patients and 20 healthy volunteers ( HC ). Based on flow cytometry, we performed the absolute counting of circulating T lymphocytes and phenotyping of CD 4 + Tregs and quantified the effects of Tregs and each subpopulation on Tconv proliferation by CFSE staining. Results Compared with CHB patients and HC , we observed an equal reduction in peripheral T subsets in HBV ‐ ACLF and septic shock subjects; the number of CD 4 + Tregs remained unchanged and the Tconv count declined, promoting elevation of the Treg‐to‐Tconv ratio. The frequencies of Treg‐II and ‐III were elevated in HBV ‐ ACLF . Functional studies showed that the suppressive capacity of Tregs was preserved in the HBV ‐ ACLF group and Treg‐II came first. Conclusions Similar to septic shock subjects, in HBV ‐ ACLF patients there exists a reduction in CD 4 + T lymphocytes, predominantly CD 4 + Tconv, and the development of suppressive CD 4 + Tregs greatly prevails over Tconv, constituting important characteristics of adaptive immune dysfunction of HBV ‐ ACLF .
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1478-3223
,
1478-3231
DOI:
10.1111/liv.2013.33.issue-10
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2124684-1
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