CD4+CD25+high regulatory T cells in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.
- Author:
Ming LI
1
;
Hong-xiang ZHUGE
;
Chuan-wu ZHU
;
Ping XU
;
Xiang-rong IUO
;
Jian-zhong YE
;
Wei ZHU
;
Feng QIAN
;
Hai-yan WANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Female; Forkhead Transcription Factors; analysis; Hepatitis B, Chronic; immunology; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; immunology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Liver; chemistry; Male; Middle Aged; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; immunology
- From: Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2007;21(4):337-339
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of CD4+CD25+high regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis.
METHODSCD4+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.
RESULTSThe percentage of CD4+CD25+high/CD4+ 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.
CONCLUSIONPatients with autoimmune hepatitis harbor a decreased percentage of CD4+CD25+ high regulatory T cells, which may be associated with development of autoimmunity.
