Backgroud IL-17 + T helper cells and Foxp3 + regulatory T cells are CD4 + T helper cells with reciprocally regulated differentiation and function. Their frequency and function vary in patients with chronic hepatitis B. In this study, we investigated the balance between IL-17 + T cells and Foxp3 + regulatory T cells and illustrated their function in the aggravation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Results Twenty-six patients with chronic HBV -related liver failure (CLF), thirty-one patients with acute on chronic HBV-related liver failure (ACLF) and twelve normal controls were enrolled in our study. The expressions of IL-17, Foxp3, CD4, CD8 and perforin in liver tissue were measured by immunochemistry for the evaluation of liver-infiltrating lymphocytes. The frequency of liver IL-17 + T cells on liver inflammatory cells and their proportion in the total CD4 + T cell population increased markedly in the ACLF group, while the frquency of Foxp3 + T cells and their proportion in the total CD4 + T cell population did not show a significant difference in the two HBV infection groups. In addition, the ACLF group showed a dramatically higher IL-17 + /Foxp3 + ratio than the CLF group. CD4 + T cells increased significantly in the liver of patients with ACLF, compared with those in the liver of patients with CLF. Conclusions Our findings suggest that intrahepatic IL-17 + T cells play an important role in the development of chronic HBV and that the imbalance between IL-17 + and Foxp3 + T cells in the liver may lead to progression of the disease but the mechanism should be further explored.
The balance between intrahepatic IL-17 + T cells and Foxp3 + regulatory T cells plays an important role in HBV-related end-stage liver disease
[Category] B형 간염, Fulltext,
[Article Type] Research Article
[Source] PMC
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