C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5+CD8+T cells as immune regulators in hepatitis Be antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B under interferonalpha treatment

BACKGROUND C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5(CXCR5)+CD8+T cells represent a unique immune subset with dual roles,functioning as cytotoxic cells in persistent viral infections while promoting B cell responses.Despite their importance,the specific role of CXCR5+CD8+T cells in chronic hepatitis B(CHB),particularly during interferon-alpha(IFN-α)treatment,is not fully understood.This study aims to elucidate the relationship between CXCR5+CD8+T cells and sustained serologic response(SR)in patients undergoing 48 weeks of pegylated IFN-α(peg-IFN-α)treatment for CHB.AIM To elucidate the relationship between CXCR5+CD8+T cells and sustained SR in patients undergoing 48 weeks of peg-IFN-αtreatment for CHB.METHODS This study enrolled 60 patients with hepatitis Be antigen(HBeAg)-positive CHB undergoing 48 weeks of peg-IFN-αtreatment.Participants were assessed for eligibility based on criteria such as persistent HBsAg-positive status for at least six months,HBeAb-negative,hepatitis B virus DNA levels exceeding 2×104 copies/mL,and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels between 2 and 10 times the upper limit of normal.Blood samples were collected at baseline and at weeks 12,24,48,and a 24-week treatment-free follow-up(week 72)to measure serum interleukin(IL)-21 concentration via ELISA and to analyze CXCR5 and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression on CD8+T cells by flow cytometry,CXCR5 is a chemokine receptor that directs immune cells to specific tissues,while PD-L1 is a protein that regulates immune responses by inhibiting T cell activity.RESULTS Patients with CHB exhibited significantly lower levels of circulating CXCR5+CD8+T cells compared to healthy controls(P<0.01).Notably,CXCR5+CD8+T cells were prominently expressed in patients who achieved sustained SR compared to non-SR(NSR).A significant correlation was observed between CXCR5 and PD-L1 expression(r=-0.189,P=0.002).However,there was no significant correlation between serum IL-21 levels and CXCR5+CD8+lymphocytes(r=-0.03,P=0.625)or serum ALT levels(r=0.026,P=0.678).CONCLUSION The enhanced expression of CXCR5+CD8+T cells in patients achieving HBeAg seroconversion during IFN-αtreatment suggests that these cells play a crucial role in antiviral immune responses against hepatitis B.This study highlights the potential of CXCR5+CD8+T cells as immune regulators in CHB,which may inform future therapeutic strategies to optimize antiviral treatments.

Polymorphisms of CCL3L1/CCR5 genes and recurrence of hepatitis B in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND:The genetic diversity of chemokines and chemokine receptors has been associated with the outcome of hepatitis B virus infection.The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the copy number variation in the CCL3L1 gene and the polymorphisms of CCR5Δ32 and CCR5-2459A→G (rs1799987) are associated with recurrent hepatitis B in liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus infection-related end stage liver disease.METHODS:A total of 185 transplant recipients were enrolled in this study.The genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood,the copy number of the CCL3L1 gene was determined by a quantitative real-time PCR based assay,CCR5Δ32 was detected by a sizing PCR method,and a single-nucleotide polymorphism in CCR5-2459 was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR.RESULTS:No CCR5Δ32 mutation was detected in any of the individuals from China.Neither copy number variation nor polymorphism in CCR5-2459 was associated with post-transplant reinfection with hepatitis B virus.However,patients with fewer copies (<4) of the CCL3L1 gene compared with the population median in combination with the CCR5G allele had a significantly higher risk for recurrent hepatitis B (odds ratio=1.93,95% CI:1.00-3.69;P=0.047).CONCLUSION:Patients possessing the compound decreased functional genotype of both CCL3L1 and CCR5 genes might be more likely to have recurrence of hepatitis B after transplantation.

microRNA-455-5p alleviates neuroinflammation in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Neuroinflammation is a major pathophysiological factor that results in the development of brain injury after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.Downregulation of microRNA(miR)-455-5p after ischemic stroke has been considered a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for neuronal injury after ischemia.However,the role of miR-455-5p in the post-ischemia/reperfusion inflammatory response and the underlying mechanism have not been evaluated.In this study,mouse models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were established by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1 hour followed by reperfusion.Agomir-455-5p,antagomir-455-5p,and their negative controls were injected intracerebroventricularly 2 hours before or 0 and 1 hour after middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).The results showed that cerebral ischemia/reperfusion decreased miR-455-5p expression in the brain tissue and the peripheral blood.Agomir-455-5p pretreatment increased miR-455-5p expression in the brain tissue,reduced the cerebral infarct volume,and improved neurological function.Furthermore,primary cultured microglia were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation for 3 hours followed by 21 hours of reoxygenation to mimic cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.miR-455-5p reduced C-C chemokine receptor type 5 mRNA and protein levels,inhibited microglia activation,and reduced the production of the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-αand interleukin-1β.These results suggest that miR-455-5p is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and that it alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting C-C chemokine receptor type 5 expression and reducing the neuroinflammatory response.

Maraviroc promotes recovery from traumatic brain injury in mice by suppression of neuroinflammation and activation of neurotoxic reactive astrocytes

Neuroinflammation and the NACHT,LRR,and PYD domains-containing protein 3 inflammasome play crucial roles in secondary tissue damage following an initial insult in patients with traumatic brain injury(TBI).Maraviroc,a C-C chemokine receptor type 5 antagonist,has been viewed as a new therapeutic strategy for many neuroinflammatory diseases.We studied the effect of maraviroc on TBI-induced neuroinflammation.A moderate-TBI mouse model was subjected to a controlled cortical impact device.Maraviroc or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally 1 hour after TBI and then once per day for 3 consecutive days.Western blot,immunohistochemistry,and TUNEL(terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling)analyses were performed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of maraviroc at 3 days post-TBI.Our results suggest that maraviroc administration reduced NACHT,LRR,and PYD domains-containing protein 3 inflammasome activation,modulated microglial polarization from M1 to M2,decreased neutrophil and macrophage infiltration,and inhibited the release of inflammatory factors after TBI.Moreover,maraviroc treatment decreased the activation of neurotoxic reactive astrocytes,which,in turn,exacerbated neuronal cell death.Additionally,we confirmed the neuroprotective effect of maraviroc using the modified neurological severity score,rotarod test,Morris water maze test,and lesion volume measurements.In summary,our findings indicate that maraviroc might be a desirable pharmacotherapeutic strategy for TBI,and C-C chemokine receptor type 5 might be a promising pharmacotherapeutic target to improve recovery after TBI.

Genotypes and polymorphisms of mutant CCR5-△32,CCR2-64I and SDF1-3'A HIV-1 resistance alleles in indigenous Han Chinese

Objective To evaluate the frequencies and polymorphisms of CCR5-△32,CCR2-641 and SDF1-3'A alleles conferring resistance to HIV-1 infection in Chinese population from Han ethnic origin.Methods This cohort was comprised of 1251 subjects(915 men and 336 women)aged 15 -80 years and none was HIV-1 positive.Genotyping of allelic CCR5-△32,CCR2-641 and SDF1-3' A variants was performed using PCR or PCR/RFLP assay,and further confirmed by direct DNA sequencing.Results Our finding shows that the△32 deletion mutation in the CCR5 gene does occur in this population and can be inherited in a Mendelian fashion in indigenous Han Chinese at a very low frequency of 0.00119(n= 1254).The frequencies of mutant CCR2-641 and SDF1-3'A alleles were 0.20023(n = 1251)and 0.2873(n = 893),in this population,which are higher than those found in American Caucasians.Furthermore the polymorphisms of CCR2-641 and SDF1-3' A alleles in the Han Chinese population were different from those in American Caucasians.Statistical analysis showed that the genotype distribution of CCR5-△32,CCR2-641 and SDF1-3' A alleles was in equilibrium according to the Hardy-Weinberg equation.Conclusion The CCR5-△32 mutation may not be a major resistant factor against HIV-1 infection in indigenous Han Chinese.The significance of higher frequencies of CCR2-641 and SDF1-3' A alleles (0.20023 and 0.2791)in the Han population remains to be clarified in HIV-1-positive carriers and AIDS patients.