Mesenteric adipose tissue B lymphocytes promote intestinal injury in severe acute pancreatitis by mediating enteric pyroptosis

Background:Visceral adipose tissue(VAT)has been linked to the severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)prognosis,although the underlying mechanism remains unclear.It has been reported that pyroptosis worsens SAP.The present study aimed to verify whether mesenteric adipose tissue(MAT,a component of VAT)can cause secondary intestinal injury through the pyroptotic pathway.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were divided into six different groups.Twelve rats were randomly divided into the SAP and control groups.We monitored the changes of MAT and B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT of SAP rats.Twelve SAP rats were injected with MAT B lymphocytes or phosphate buffer solution(PBS).The remaining twelve SAP rats were first injected with MAT B lymphocytes,and then with MCC950(NLRP3 inhibitor)or PBS.We collected blood and tissue samples from pancreas,gut and MAT for analysis.Results:Compared to the control rats,the SAP group showed inflammation in MAT,including higher expression of tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6),lower expression of IL-10,and histological changes.Flow cytometry analysis revealed B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT but not T lymphocytes and macrophages.The SAP rats also exhibited intestinal injury,characterized by lower expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin,higher levels of lipopolysaccharide and diamine oxidase,and pathological changes.The expression of NLRP3 and n-GSDMD,which are responsible for pyroptosis,was increased in the intestine of SAP rats.The injection of MAT B lymphocytes into SAP rats exacerbated the inflammation in MAT.The upregulation of pyroptosis reduced tight junction in the intestine,which contributed to the SAP progression,including higher inflammatory indicators and worse histological changes.The administration of MCC950 to SAP+MAT B rats downregulated pyroptosis,which subsequently improved the intestinal barrier and ameliorated inflammatory response of SAP.Conclusions:In SAP,MAT B lymphocytes aggravated local inflammation,and promoted the injury to the intestine through the enteric pyroptotic pathway.

Bystanders or not?Microglia and lymphocytes in aging and stroke

As the average age of the world population increases,more people will face debilitating aging-associated conditions,including dementia and stroke.Not only does the incidence of these conditions increase with age,but the recovery afterward is often worse in older patients.Researchers and health professionals must unveil and understand the factors behind age-associated diseases to develop a therapy for older patients.Aging causes profound changes in the immune system including the activation of microglia in the brain.Activated microglia promote T lymphocyte transmigration leading to an increase in neuroinflammation,white matter damage,and cognitive impairment in both older humans and rodents.The presence of T and B lymphocytes is observed in the aged brain and correlates with worse stroke outcomes.Preclinical strategies in stroke target either microglia or the lymphocytes or the communications between them to promote functional recovery in aged subjects.In this review,we examine the role of the microglia and T and B lymphocytes in aging and how they contribute to cognitive impairment.Additionally,we provide an important update on the contribution of these cells and their interactions in preclinical aged stroke.

GZMB在乳腺癌和乳腺良性肿物患者中的表达及与T淋巴细胞水平的关系研究

目的:探讨颗粒酶B(granzyme B,GZMB)在乳腺癌和乳腺良性肿物患者中的表达及与T淋巴细胞水平的关系。方法:选取2022年1月至2023年8月南阳市第一人民医院收治的乳腺癌患者63例为观察组,根据肿瘤分期分为T_(1)N_(0)M_(0)组、T_(2)N_(0)M_(0)组、T_(2)N_(1)M_(0)组、T_(3)N_(0)M_(0)组及T_(3)N_(1)M_(0)组;选择同期治疗的乳腺良性肿物患者9例为对照组;采用流式细胞仪测定各组GZMB及T淋巴细胞水平;对乳腺癌患者GZMB与T淋巴细胞参数完成相关性分析。结果:观察组乳腺癌患者GZMB水平高于对照组(P<0.05);CD_(3)^(+)、CD_(4)^(+)及CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)水平低于对照组(P<0.05);乳腺癌不同分期下CD_(8)^(+)水平无统计差异(P>0.05);乳腺癌患者中T_(3)N_(1)M_(0)组GZMB水平高于其余4组(P<0.05),CD_(3)^(+)、CD_(4)^(+)及CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)水平低于其余4组(P<0.05);乳腺癌患者分期越高,GZMB水平越高,CD_(3)^(+)、CD_(4)^(+)及CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)水平越低;Pearson相关性结果表明,乳腺癌患者GZMB水平与CD_(3)^(+)、CD_(4)^(+)及CD_(4)^(+)/CD_(8)^(+)水平呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论:GZMB在乳腺癌患者中呈高表达,其表达水平在不同分期中存在差异,且与T淋巴细胞水平存在相关性,可指导临床诊疗。

慢性乙型肝炎者外周血SAA/CRP、NLR水平与HBV-DNA载量、病情程度的相关性分析

目的探究慢性乙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis B,CHB)患者外周血淀粉样蛋白A(serum amyloid A,SAA)与C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)比值(SAA/CRP)、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(neutrophils lymphocytes ratio,NLR)水平与乙型肝炎病毒-脱氧核糖核酸(HBV-DNA)载量及病情程度的相关性。方法选取2020年6月至2022年6月达州市中西医结合医院100例CHB患者作为研究组,根据病情程度分为轻度(单纯CHB,n=36)、中度(乙肝代偿期肝硬化,n=33)和重度(乙肝失代偿期肝硬化,n=31)。另选同期、同年龄段50例健康志愿者作为对照组,比较研究组不同病情程度、对照组一般资料、血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平,并比较研究组不同HBV-DNA载量患者血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平,分析CHB患者血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平与HBV-DNA载量、病情程度的相关性;所有患者均行抗病毒治疗,治疗24周,比较不同抗病毒疗效患者治疗前、治疗后12周、24周血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平及变化值,分析治疗前后血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平变化值预测疗效的价值。结果重度CHB患者血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平>中度CHB患者>轻度CHB患者>健康人群(P<0.05);高载量患者血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平>中载量患者>轻载量患者(P<0.05);CHB患者血清SAA/CRP、NLR水平与HBV-DNA载量(r=0.756、0.709)、病情程度(r=0.776、0.745)呈正相关(P<0.05);无应答患者治疗后12周、24周外周血SAA/CRP、NLR水平均高于应答患者,变化值均低于应答患者(P<0.05);SAA/CRP△1、NLR△1单独预测的AUC分别为0.752、0.773,联合预测△1的AUC为0.861;SAA/CRP△2、NLR△2单独预测的AUC分别为0.796、0.819,联合预测△2的AUC为0.967,大于联合预测△1的AUC(P<0.05)。结论CHB患者的SAA/CRP、NLR与CHB HBV-DNA载量及病情程度具有相关性,临床可通过其水平变化评估病情及预测预后。

伴单克隆B淋巴细胞和单克隆浆细胞增殖的AITL 1例

血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤(angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma,AITL)是一种预后较差的侵袭性淋巴瘤。本文报道1例伴单克隆B淋巴细胞和单克隆浆细胞增殖AITL患者的诊疗经过,以提高对AITL的认识及诊疗水平,从而减少漏诊和误诊。

超声心动图参数及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、NF-κB、CD64水平预测新生儿败血症预后的价值

【目的】探讨超声心动图参数及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、核因子-κB(NF-κB)、簇分化抗原64(CD64)水平预测新生儿败血症预后的价值。【方法】选取2020年1月至2023年2月本院收治的95例新生儿败血症,根据预后情况将其分为存活组(n=80)和死亡组(n=15)。比较两组患儿超声心动图参数[左室短轴缩短率(FS)、升主动脉内径(AAO)、左室射血分数(LVEF)]、心肌损伤标志物[肌酸激酶(CK)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)]、T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)、CD8^(+))、NF-κB、CD64水平;采用Logistic多因素回归分析新生儿败血症预后不良的相关影响因素;采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析心电图指标及实验室指标预测新生儿败血症预后的临床价值。【结果】两组患儿肌酸激酶CK、CK-MB水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);存活组FS、AAO及LVEF高于死亡组患儿,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患儿CD8^(+)水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);存活组患儿CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)水平高于死亡组,NF-κB、CD64水平低于死亡组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患儿中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)、C反应蛋白(CRP)水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);存活组患儿白细胞计数(WBC)低于死亡组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic多因素回归分析显示:FS、LVEF、CD64是影响新生儿败血症预后的相关因素(P<0.05)。FS、LVEF、CD64联合预测新生儿败血症预后的ROC曲线下面积为0.948,明显高于各指标单独预测的0.827、0.895和0.877(P<0.05)。【结论】FS、LVEF联合CD64检测对新生儿败血症预后有良好的预测价值,临床可通过密切监测上述指标及时判断新生儿败血症预后,采取相关干预措施。

Detection of HBV DNA and its existence status in liver tissues and peripheral blood lymphocytes from chronic hepatitis B patients

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Is the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio associated with liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B?

AIM: To determine the association between the neutrophil to lymphocyte(N/L) ratio and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) infection. METHODS: Between December 2011 and February 2013, 129 consecutive CHB patients who were admitted to the study hospitals for histological evaluation of chronic hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the fibrosis score: individuals with a fibrosis score of F0 or F1 were included in the "no/minimal liver fibrosis" group, whereas patients with a fibrosis score of F2, F3, or F4 were included in the "advanced liver fibrosis" group. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences 18.0 for Windows was used to analyze the data. A P value of < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.RESULTS: Three experienced and blinded pathologists evaluated the fibrotic status and inflammatory activity of 129 liver biopsy samples from the CHB patients. Following histopathological examination, the "no/minimal fibrosis" group included 79 individuals, while the "advanced fibrosis" group included 50 individuals. Mean(N/L) ratio levels were notably lower in patients with advanced fibrosis when compared with patients with no/minimal fibrosis. The mean value of the aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index was markedly higher in cases with advanced fibrosis compared to those with no/minimal fibrosis.CONCLUSION: Reduced levels of the peripheral blood N/L ratio were found to give high sensitivity, specificity and predictive values in CHB patients with significant fibrosis. The prominent finding of our research suggests that the N/L ratio can be used as a novel noninvasive marker of fibrosis in patients with CHB.

Detection of CYP2E1,a Genetic Biomarker of Susceptibility to Benzene Metabolism Toxicity in Immortal Human Lymphocytes Derived from the Han Chinese Population

Objective Cytochrome P450 2E1 （CYP2E1） is an important metabolizing enzyme involved in oxidative stress responses to benzene, a chemical associated with bone marrow toxicity and leukemia, We aimed to identify the CYP2E1 genetic biomarkers of susceptibility to benzene toxicity in support of environmental and occupational exposure prevention, and to test whether a model using immortal human lymphocytes might be an efficient tool for detecting genetic biomarkers. Methods Immortalized human lymphocyte cell lines with independent genotypes on four CYP2E1 SNP sites were induced with 0.01% phenol, a metabolite of benzene. CYP2E1 gene function was evaluated by mRNA expression and enzyme activity. DNA damage was measured by Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis （SCGE）. Results Among the four SNPs, cells with rs2070673TT and rs2030920CC showed higher levels of ~YP2E1 transcription and enzymatic activity than the other genotypes in the same SNP site. Cells with higher gene expression genotypes also showed higher comet rates compared with lower gene expression genotypes. Conclusion These results suggest that CYP2E1 rs2070673 and rs2030920 might be the genetic biomarkers of susceptibility to benzene toxicity and that the immortalized human lymphocytes model might be an efficient tool for the detection of genetic biomarkers of susceptibility to chemicals.

慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血B淋巴细胞亚群的变化特征及临床意义

目的观察慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者外周血B淋巴细胞(B细胞)亚群的变化特征,并探讨其临床意义。方法收集2022年7-10月在解放军总医院第五医学中心就诊的37例CHB未治疗患者的外周血标本,同时收集18名接种过乙肝疫苗的健康人外周血标本作为健康对照(HC),并收集研究对象的年龄、HBV DNA病毒载量、HBsAg定量、HBeAg半定量、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)及AST/ALT比值等临床指标。采用多色流式细胞术检测并比较两组外周血B细胞及各亚群的频率、表型及功能标志物的变化特征,并探究其与临床指标之间的相关性。结果B细胞各亚群频率分析显示,与HC组比较,CHB组整体B细胞、过渡B细胞及幼稚B细胞频率均降低(P<0.05),而成熟B细胞、记忆B细胞、非典型记忆B细胞及激活记忆B细胞频率均升高(P<0.01);两组静息记忆B细胞频率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。B细胞各亚群功能分析显示,与HC组比较,CHB组整体B细胞、成熟B细胞、记忆B细胞、幼稚B细胞、激活记忆B细胞、非典型记忆B细胞及静息记忆B细胞的CD79b表达水平均升高(P<0.05);此外,CHB组非典型记忆B细胞的程序性死亡受体1(PD-1)表达水平也高于HC组(P<0.05)。相关性分析显示,CHB组整体B细胞频率与年龄呈负相关(r=-0.39,P<0.05),且整体B细胞、成熟B细胞、过渡B细胞、记忆B细胞、幼稚B细胞的PD-1表达水平与年龄均呈正相关(r>0.36,P<0.05)。结论慢性HBV感染导致CHB患者外周血部分B细胞的频率及功能发生耗竭,而年龄是导致CHB患者体液免疫功能下降的潜在危险因素。

Zeste同源物2增强子在桥本甲状腺炎B淋巴细胞亚群中的表达及其抑制剂的治疗机制及效果研究

背景甲状腺自身抗体是诊断桥本甲状腺炎(HT)的标志,B淋巴细胞在HT的发病机制中发挥重要作用。Zeste同源物2增强子(EZH2)是一种表观遗传学蛋白,在淋巴细胞的发育与功能调控中扮演重要角色。目的本研究探讨EZH2在HT甲状腺组浆母细胞及浆细胞中的表达,进一步探讨EZH2抑制剂在实验性自身免疫甲状腺炎(EAT)模型中的治疗作用。方法收集北京大学第一医院2010—2020年6例行甲状腺手术的患者,取肿瘤对侧的甲状腺组织(HT及正常甲状腺组织各3例),通过RNA-seq筛选B淋巴细胞相关基因的表达情况;收集16例HT患者的甲状腺组织和8例健康对照(HD)甲状腺组织,分别利用免疫组化及免疫荧光验证EZH2在HT甲状腺组织中B淋巴细胞中的表达;收集25例HT甲状腺细针穿刺液(FNA)、19例HT外周血以及12例健康人外周血样本应用流式细胞分析检测EZH2在浆母细胞及浆细胞中的表达改变。将15只7周龄NOD.H-2^(h4)小鼠EAT模型分为对照组(n=5)、EAT无注射(n=5)或注射EZH2抑制剂GSK126处理组(10 mg/kg,腹腔注射3次/周,n=5),8周后观察甲状腺炎症程度及甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TgAb)水平的改变。结果RNA-seq结果显示,相较于正常甲状腺组织,HT甲状腺组织中EZH2水平上调,一些与B淋巴细胞表型相关的基因例如CD19、CD27、CD38、CD52相应增加。免疫组化结果显示,16例HT甲状腺组织标本中EZH2免疫组化染色均可在生发中心(GC)见到阳性细胞,呈强阳性,8例正常甲状腺组织染色中未观察到阳性细胞。HT甲状腺组织中EZH2染色高表达在GC区,EZH2特异性地表达在CD_(19)^(+)B淋巴细胞中。流式细胞术检测结果显示HT FNA样本中CD_(19)^(+)B淋巴细胞、浆母细胞及浆细胞比例均高于HD外周血、HT外周血样本(P<0.01),HT FNA样本中EZH2在CD_(19)^(+)B淋巴细胞、浆母细胞中的阳性比例高于HT外周血(P<0.005)。小鼠实验中,EAT组甲状腺的淋巴细胞浸润较对照组增加。GSK126处理组炎症程度评分和TgAb水平高于对照组,低于EAT组(P<0.001)。结论EZH2在HT甲状腺组织CD_(19)^(+)B淋巴细胞中表达异常升高,可能促进了B淋巴细胞分化成浆细胞进而促进自身抗体生成破坏甲状腺,EZH2抑制剂可以减缓EAT模型甲状腺炎症程度。浆母细胞中EZH2表达增加可能参与了HT的发病机制,EZH2可能成为治疗HT的新靶点,相关机制需要进一步深入研究。

Frequencies and Characterization of HBV-specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Self-limited and Chronic Hepatitis B Viral Infection in China

Hepatitis B virus （HBV）-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes （CTLs） are believed to play a major role in viral clearance and disease pathogenesis during HBV infection. To clarify the differences in host immune responses between self-limited and chronic HBV infections, we constructed three HLA-A＊0201/HBV tetramers with immunodominant epitopes of core18-27, polymerase 575-583 and envelope 335-343, and analyzed the HBV-specific CTLs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） from patients infected with HBV. The frequencies and expansion ability of HBV-specific CD8＋T cells in most self-limited HBV infected individuals were higher than those in chronic HBV-infected patients. HBV-specific CD8＋T cells could be induced by in vitro peptide stimulation from chronic patients with a low level of serum HBV-DNA but not from those with a high level of serum HBV-DNA. In chronic infection, no significant correlation was found either between the frequencies of HBV-specific CD8^＋ T cells and the viral load, or between the frequencies and the levels of alanine transaminase. Our results suggested that the frequencies of HBV-specific CTLs are not the main determinant of immune-mediated protection in chronic HBV infection and immunotherapeutic approaches should be aimed at not only boosting a HBV-specific CD8^＋T response but also improving its function.

CD93^(+)B淋巴细胞亚群在炎症及炎症相关疾病中的研究进展

CD93表达于原B(pro-B)细胞、前B(pre-B)细胞以及各种不成熟B细胞,CD93可以和膜突蛋白(moesin)、多聚素2(MMRN2)等分子相互作用参与细胞迁移、黏附和吞噬过程,进而在炎症以及血管生成过程中发挥着重要的作用。检测CD93+B细胞亚群对炎症及炎症相关疾病,如幽门螺杆菌相关性的胃炎、脓毒症、非肥胖型糖尿病以及牙周炎等疾病的诊断、治疗及预后监测具有重要的作用。

Peripheral T-lymphocyte subpopulations in different clinical stages of chronic HBV infection correlate with HBV load

AIM: To characterize the peripheral T-cell subpopulation profiles and their correlation with hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in different clinical stages of chronic HBV infection.METHODS: A total of 422 patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into three stages: immune-tolerant stage, immune active stage, and immune-inactive carrier stage. Composition of peripheral T-cell subpopulations was determined by flow cytometry. HBV markers were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SerumHBV DNA load was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: CD8+ T-cells were significantly higher in patients at the immune-tolerant stage than in patients at the immune-active and -inactive carrier stages (36.87 ± 7.58 vs 34.37 ± 9.07, 36.87 ± 7.58 vs 28.09 ± 5.64, P < 0.001). The peripheral blood in patients at the immune-tolerant and immune active stages contained more CD8+ T-cells than CD4+ T-cells (36.87 ± 7.58 vs 30.23 ± 6.35, 34.37 ± 9.07 vs 30.92 ± 7.40, P < 0.01), whereas the peripheral blood in patients at the immune-inactive carrier stage and in normal controls contained less CD8+ T-cells than CD4+ T-cells (28.09 ± 5.64 vs 36.85 ± 6.06, 24.02 ± 4.35 vs 38.94 ± 3.39, P < 0.01). ANOVA linear trend test showed that CD8+ T-cells were signif icantly increased in patients with a high viral load (39.41 ± 7.36, 33.83 ± 7.50, 31.81 ± 5.95 and 26.89 ± 5.71, P < 0.001), while CD4+ T-cells were signif icantly increased in patients with a low HBV DNA load (37.45 ± 6.14, 33.33 ± 5.61, 31.58 ± 6.99 and 27.56 ± 5.49, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis displayed that log copies of HBV DNA still maintained its highly signif icant coefficients for T-cell subpopulations, and was the strongest predictors for variations in CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio after adjustment for age at HBV-infection, maternal HBV-infection status, presence of hepatitis B e antigen and HBV mutation.CONCLUSION: Differences in peripheral T-cell subpopulation profi les can be found in different clinical stages of chronic HBV infection. T-cell impairment is signifi cantly associated with HBV load.

Activation-induced cell death in B lymphocytes

Upon encountering the antigen (Ag), the immune system can either develop a specific immune response or enter a specific state of unresponsiveness, tolerance. The response of B cells to their specific Ag can be activation and proliferation, leading to the immune response, or anergy and activation-induced cell death (AICD), leading to tolerance. AICD in B lymphocytes is a highly regulated event initiated by crosslinking of the B cell receptor (BCR). BCR engagement initiates several signaling events such as activation of PLCr, Ras, and PI3K, which generally speaking, lead to survival. However, in the absence of survival signals (CD40 or IL-4R engagement), BCR crosslinking can also promote apoptotic signal transduction pathways such as activation of effector caspases, expression of pro-apoptotic genes, and inhibition of pro-survival genes. The complex interplay between survival and death signals determines the B cell fate and, consequently, the immune response.

ROLE OF B LYMPHOCYTE AND ITS SUBPOPULATIONS IN PATHOGENESIS OF IMMUNORELATED PANCYTOPENIA

Objective To measure the quantities and apoptosis-related protein levels of B lymphocyte in the patients with immunorelated pancytopenia(IRP)and explore the action of B lymphocyte in the pathogenic mechanism of IRP. Methods Quantities of whole B lymphocytes and CD5+ B lymphocytes as well as the expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 in B lymphocytes in 35 patients with untreated IRP, 15 IRP patients in complete remission (CR), and 10 normal controls were assayed by flow cytometry. Results The percentages of B lymphocyte and CD5+ B lymphocyte were significantly higher in untreated IRP patients than in CR IRP patients and normal controls (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the latter two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference of Fas expression in B lymphocyte among three groups (P>0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 in B lymphocyte was significantly higher in untreated patients than in CR patients or normal controls (P<0.01), and significantly higher in CR patients than in normal controls (P<0.01). The apoptosis-related index was significantly lower in untreated patients than in CR patients or normal controls (P<0.05), and significantly lower in CR patients than in normal controls (P<0.05). The percentage of B lymphocyte was positively correlated with post-treated response time(r=0.53, P<0.01). Conclusion The production of auto-antibodies in IRP patients probably has some relationship with the abnormal quantities of B lymphocyte and its subpopulations as well as with the inhibition of B lymphocyte apoptosis.

Effect of viral load on T-lymphocyte failure in patients with chronic hepatitis B

AIM: To investigate peripheral T-lymphocyte sub-population profile and its correlation with hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).METHODS: Distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry in 206 CHB patients. HBV markers were detected with ELISA. Serum HBV DNA load was assessed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The relationship between HBV replication and variation in peripheral T-cell subsets was analyzed.RESULTS: CHB patients had significantly decreased CD3+ and CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and increased CD8+ cells compared with uninfected controls (55.44 ± 12.39 vs 71.07 ± 4.76, 30.92 ± 7.48 vs 38.94 ± 3.39, 1.01 ± 0.49 vs 1.67 ± 0.33, and 34.39 ± 9.22 vs 24.02 ± 4.35; P < 0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis showed a similar pattern of these parameters was significantly associated with high viral load, presence of serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) expression, liver disease severity, history of maternal HBV infection, and young age at HBV infection, all with P < 0.01. There was a significant linear relationship between viral load and these parameters of T-lymphocyte subpopulations (linear trend test P < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio and serum level of viral load in CHB patients (r = -0.68, -0.65 and -0.75, all P < 0.0001), and a positive correlation between CD8+ cells and viral load (r = 0.70, P < 0.0001). There was a significant decreasing trend in CD3+ and CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio with increasing severity of hepatocyte damage and decreasing age at HBV infection (linear trend test P < 0.01). In multiple regression (after adjustment for age at HBV infection, maternal HBV infection status and hepatocyte damage severity) log copies of HBV DNA maintained a highly significant predictive coefficient on T-lymphocyte subpopulations, and was the strongest predictor of variation in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio. However, the effect of HBeAg was not significant.CONCLUSION: T-lymphocyte failure was signifi-cantly associated with viral replication level. The substantial linear dose-response relationship and strong independent predictive effect of viral load on T-lymphocyte subpopulations suggests the possibility of a causal relationship between them, and indicates the importance of viral load in the pathogenesis of T cell hyporesponsiveness in these patients.

Observation of T Lymphocyte Subsets in the Liver of Patients with Advanced Schistosomiasis and Advanced Schistosomiasis Accompanied with Hepatitis B

T lymphocyte subsets in the liver were detected by Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC) assay in 22 patients with advanced schistosomiasis (AS) and 5 cases of AS accompanied with hepatitis B. T lymphocytes in the liver of AS patients were distributed in the peripheral layer of egg granuloma or the area near eggs in non-granuloma. No infiltrative T lymphocytes were observed in area with extensive fibrosis. There was infiltration of many T cells in the portal tract, piecemeal and focal necro- sis area as well as in hepatic sinus in AS patients accompanied with hepatitis B. CD8+ T cells (sup pressor/cytotoxic T cells, Ts/Tc) in the liver were predominant in the two groups. In AS patients, marked hepatic fibrosis, a small number of T cell infiltration and slight hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis were observed. However, obvious hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis were seen in AS patients accompanied with hepatitis B, and 3 cases of them developed active liver cirrhosis. The results indicated immune response was weak in the liver in AS patients and T. cells might be predominant in the subset of CDS+ T lymphocytes. Cellular immune response was relatively strong in AS patients accompanied with hepatitis B and the infiltrative CD8+ T lymphocytes might be mainly Tc cells.

Hepatitis B virus DNA is more powerful than HBeAg in predicting peripheral T-lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic HBV-infected individuals with normal liver function tests

AIM:To investigate the peripheral T-lymphocyte subpopulation profile,and its correlations with hepatitis B virus(HBV) replication level in chronic HBV-infected(CHI) individuals with normal liver function tests(LFTs) . METHODS:Frequencies of T-lymphocyte subpopu-lations in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry in 216 CHI individuals. HBV markers were detected with ELISA. Serum HBV DNA load was assessed with quantitative real-time PCR. Information of age at HBV infection,and maternal HBV infection status was collected. ANOVA linear trend test and linear regression were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS:CHI individuals had significantly decreased relative frequencies of CD3+,CD4+ subpopulationsand CD4+/CD8+ ratio,and increased CD8+ subset percentage compared with uninfected individuals(all P < 0.001) . There was a significant linear relationship between the load of HBV DNA and the parameters of T-lymphocyte subpopulations(ANOVA linear trend test P < 0.01) . The parameters were also significantly worse among individuals whose mothers were known to be HBV carriers,and those having gained infection before the age of 8 years. In multiple regressions,after adjustment for age at HBV infection and status of maternal HBV infection,log copies of HBV DNA maintained its highly significant predictive coefficient on T-lymphocyte subpopulations,whereas the effect of HBeAg was not significant. CONCLUSION:HBV DNA correlates with modification in the relative T-lymphocyte subpopulation frequencies. High viral load is more powerful than HBeAg in predicting the impaired balance of T-cell subsets.