Frequency of Intrahepatic FoxP3+ Regulatory T cells during the Natural Course of Chronic Hepatitis B: An Immunohistochemical Study Using Needle-Biopsied Liver Tissue.
- Author:
Ji Yoon BAE
1
;
Hyung Kyung KIM
;
Hanna KANG
;
Ha Rin CHEONG
;
Dong Eun SONG
;
Sun Hee SUNG
;
Heasoo KOO
;
Woon Sup HAN
;
Jeong Kyong LEE
;
Tae Hun KIM
;
Kyu Won CHUNG
;
Min Sun CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mcho1124@ewha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepatitis B, chronic;
T-lymphocytes, regulatory;
FoxP3
- MeSH:
Alanine Transaminase;
Hepatitis B e Antigens;
Hepatitis B virus;
Hepatitis B, Chronic;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Hepatocytes;
Humans;
Liver;
T-Lymphocytes;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory;
Viruses
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2010;44(2):132-140
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may contribute to the immunological hyporesponsiveness against hepatitis B virus (HBV), and this can result in chronic infection. Tregs suppress the T cell responses directed against HBV and they protect hepatocytes by down-regulating the immune responses that cause liver damage, but the role of Tregs has not been well characterized. METHODS: Fifty four patients were selected and classified into three groups (12 were in the immune-tolerance phase, 35 were in the immune-clearance phase and 7 were in the asymptomatic virus carrier phase). We examined the frequency of CD3+, CD4+ & CD8+ T cells and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ Tregs in the needle-biopsied liver tissue by performing immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The FoxP3+ Tregs were mainly located at the portal tracts. In the immune-clearance phase, the frequency of FoxP3+ Tregs was significantly increased compared to that of the immune-tolerance group and the asymptomatic carrier group. Increased FoxP3+ T cells were observed in the patients with a higher histologic inflammatory index. No correlation was observed among the numbers of FoxP3+ Tregs, the serum alanine aminotransferase level, detection of HBeAg and the HBV-DNA viral load. CONCLUSIONS: FoxP3+ Tregs may play important roles in suppressing the immune response to HBV and the complete elimination of HBV.
