We have located links that may give you full text access.
Phenotypic Changes of PD-1 and GITR in T Cells Are Associated With Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance.
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 2020 October 29
BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) possess hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific immunoregulatory effects in chronic HBV infection. The role of Tregs in spontaneous seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) remains to be determined.
METHODS: We recruited treatment-naive chronic HBV patients achieving spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance (experimental group) and matched HBsAg-positive controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using the Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation method. The frequency of Tregs and inhibitory phenotypes and immunoregulatory cytokines of Tregs were detected by flow cytometry.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with HBsAg seroclearance (mean age: 52.40±6.00 y, 55.6% male) and 27 matched controls were recruited. Median HBsAg and HBV DNA levels in the control group were 2.80 (1.24 to 3.43) and 3.16 (1.68 to 3.85) log IU/mL, respectively. Mean frequencies of Tregs and expressions of FoxP3 Tregs were comparable in both groups (both P>0.05). The mean expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related gene (GITR) in total CD4 T cells were significantly downregulated in the experimental group when compared with the control group (10.62% vs. 13.85%, P=0.003; 16.20% vs. 27.02%, P=0.002, respectively). When compared with the control group, PD-1CD4 Tregs expression in the experimental group was significantly downregulated (13.85% vs. 10.62%, P=0.003). A similar phenomenon was noted for GITRCD8 Tregs (20.16% vs. 14.08%, P=0.049). Intracellular cytokine productions showed no significant differences (all P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The reduced expression of PD-1 and GITR might attenuate the immunosuppressive capability of Tregs. Decreased expression on CD4 T cells might represent an enhanced antiviral function, playing a role in initiating the "functional cure" of chronic HBV infection.
METHODS: We recruited treatment-naive chronic HBV patients achieving spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance (experimental group) and matched HBsAg-positive controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using the Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation method. The frequency of Tregs and inhibitory phenotypes and immunoregulatory cytokines of Tregs were detected by flow cytometry.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with HBsAg seroclearance (mean age: 52.40±6.00 y, 55.6% male) and 27 matched controls were recruited. Median HBsAg and HBV DNA levels in the control group were 2.80 (1.24 to 3.43) and 3.16 (1.68 to 3.85) log IU/mL, respectively. Mean frequencies of Tregs and expressions of FoxP3 Tregs were comparable in both groups (both P>0.05). The mean expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related gene (GITR) in total CD4 T cells were significantly downregulated in the experimental group when compared with the control group (10.62% vs. 13.85%, P=0.003; 16.20% vs. 27.02%, P=0.002, respectively). When compared with the control group, PD-1CD4 Tregs expression in the experimental group was significantly downregulated (13.85% vs. 10.62%, P=0.003). A similar phenomenon was noted for GITRCD8 Tregs (20.16% vs. 14.08%, P=0.049). Intracellular cytokine productions showed no significant differences (all P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The reduced expression of PD-1 and GITR might attenuate the immunosuppressive capability of Tregs. Decreased expression on CD4 T cells might represent an enhanced antiviral function, playing a role in initiating the "functional cure" of chronic HBV infection.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app