OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of B7-H1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic HBV infection.

METHODSImmunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry assay were used to measure the expression of B7-H1 on peripheral blood CD3high T cells, CD19high B cells and CD14high monocytes from chronic HBV infected patients.

RESULTSNo significant difference was observed in B7-H1 expression on T cells and B cells between chronic HBV infected patients (CHB) and health controls (HC). B7-H1-expressing CD14high cells were significantly increased in chronic HBV-infected patients (19.17-/+11.64)% as compared with healthy controls [(7.30-/+5.49)%, P<0.01]. A significant positive correlation was found between B7-H1 expression on CD14high monocytes and serum ALT levels.

CONCLUSIONThere is no significant difference in B7-H1 expression on T cells and B cells between CHB patients and healthy subjects. B7-H1, which is up-regulated on monocytes from chronic HBV-infected patients, in positively correlated to serum ALT levels, and may play a role in the persistence of HBV infection.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; B7-H1 Antigen ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Young Adult