Original article (Clinical research)

Study on the changes in CD4+CXCR5+ follicular helper T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C

  • YIN Wen-wei ,
  • TONG Shi-wen
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  • 1.Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China; 2.Department of Clinical Nutrition, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China

Online published: 2016-07-25

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China, 81401664, 81301423

Abstract

Objective To investigate changes in characteristics of CD4+CXCR5+ follicular helper T lymphocytes (TFH cells) in peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its correlation with the disease characteristics. Methods Twenty-three patients with HCV infection and 20 healthy controls were enrolled and 4 patients received a pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin combination treatment. The changes in the proportion of peripheral blood CD4+CXCR5+ TFH cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Results The percentage of CD4+CXCR5+ TFH cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 5.845% (2.680%-14.200%) for patients with chronic HCV infection and 3.765% (1.200%-8.520%) for healthy controls (u=124.5, P=0.010 6). The proportion of TFH cells in CD4+T cells was 14.800% (8.440%-36.600%) for patients and 9.550% (2.700%-21.800%) for healthy controls (u=132.0, P=0.017 6). The proportion of CD4+CXCR5+ TFH cells were negatively correlated to HCV RNA load (r=-0.432 8, P=0.039 1) and showed no correlation with serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase or glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels. The anti-HCV therapy decreased the proportion of CD4+CXCR5+ TFH cells in HCV-infected patients. Conclusion CD4+CXCR5+TFH cells may participate in the anti-viral immune response in the process of chronical infection with HCV.

Cite this article

YIN Wen-wei , TONG Shi-wen . Study on the changes in CD4+CXCR5+ follicular helper T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2016 , 36(6) : 825 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2016.06.008

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