自身免疫性肝炎CD4^+CD25^(+high)调节性T细胞的研究

CD4^+CD25^(+high) regulatory T cells in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

目的探讨CD4+CD25+high调节性T细胞(Tr)在自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)发病中的作用。方法用流式细胞仪技术比较分析AIH患者16例、慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)22例及键康正常人20例外周血中的CD4+CD25+highTr细胞,同时用免疫组织化学法检测AIH和CHB患者肝组织Foxp3的表达情况。结果AIH组外周血中CD4+CD25+high/CD4+百分比显著低于正常组(P<0.05)和CHB组(P<0.01),并且CHB组显著高于正常组(P<0.05);同时AIH组外周血中CD4+T细胞也显著高于CHB组(P<0.01));肝组织Foxp3+细胞主要分布于肝小叶内窦周隙、汇管区,AIH组肝组织Foxp3+表达显著低于CHB组(P<0.01)。结论CD4+CD25+highTr细胞下降可能是自身免疫性肝炎发病的原因之一。

Objective To investigate the role of CD4^＋CD25^＋high regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis. Methods CD4^＋CD25^＋high regulatory T cells and CD4^＋ T cells were measured by using flow cytometry in 16 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, 22 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 20 healthy blood donors. Foxp3 protein was detected by immunohistochemical assay in liver tissues from the patients with autoimmune hepatitis or chronic hepatitis B. Results The percentage of CD4^＋CD25^＋high in patients with autoimmune hepatitis was significantly lower than that in healthy controls and patients with chronic hepatitis B. Meanwhile, the percentage of CD4^＋CD25^＋high/CD4^＋ highly increased in patients with chronic hepatitis B, compared with healthy controls; Foxp3 positive cells were mostly located in the hepatic lobular perisinusoidal spaces and the portal tract, and there was a significant difference in the quantity of Foxp3 positive cells between patients with autoimmune hepatitis and chronic hepatitis B. Conclusion Patients with autoimmune hepatitis harbor a decreased percentage of CD4^＋CD25^＋high regulatory T cells, which may be associated with development of autoimmunity.