Objective To explore the expression level of CD4+ CD25+ CD127low-regulatory T cells (Treg) in the peripheral blood of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals,and its association with liver pathology.Methods Thirty-five HBV-infected individuals and 20 healthy controls were enrolled.The frequencies of peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg were detected by flow cytometry.HBV-related serological tests as well as ultrasound-guided liver biopsies were performed in HBV-infected individuals.The two groups were compared by t test.Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses were performed.Results The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level of HBV-infected individuals was (34.57 ± 15.36) U/L,with 25 subjects of ALT＜40 U/L.Twenty subjects were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive,and 15 were HBeAg negative.The frequency of the peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg in HBV-infected individuals was (5.59 ±1.50)％,which was significantly higher than that in healthy controls [(4.85±0.95) ％ ; t=2.191,P=0.033].The level of peripheral blood CD4+ CD25-CD127low/-Treg was positively correlated with HBV viral load (r=0.495,P=0.003).Thirty-one subjects had liver inflammatory score ≤2,with a peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg level of (5.80 ± 1.44) ％,which was significantly higher than that of the rest 4 subjects who had liver inflammatory score ＞2 [(4.00±0.77)％; t=2.425,P=0.021].Twenty-four subjects had liver fibrosis score ＜2,with a peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg level of (6.00±1.44) ％,which was significantly higher than that of the rest 11 subjects who had liver fibrosis score ≥ 2 [(4.70 ± 1.24)％; t =2.559,P＝0.015].The expression of CD4 + CD25 +CD127low/-Treg in peripheral blood was inversely correlated with liver inflammation (r=-0.539,P=0.001) and fibrosis (r =-0.488,P =0.003) in HBV-infected individuals.Conclusions CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg is associated with chronic condition and liver damage of hepatitis B.It may play an important role in occurrence,development and prognosis of the disease.%目的 探讨CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg)在HBV感染者外周血中的表达水平及其与肝脏病理的关系.方法 采用流式细胞技术检测35例HBV感染者和20名健康体检者外周血中CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/--Treg的表达水平.对35例HBV感染者在B型超声引导下行肝穿刺病理检查,同时行HBV相关血清学检查.组间差异比较采用独立样本t检验,各组数据之间的相关性采用Spearman或Pearson直线相关分析.结果 HBV感染者35例,ALT水平(34.57±15.36)U/L,其中ALT＜ 40 U/L者25例,HBeAg阳性20例,HBeAg阴性15例.35例HBV感染者CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg水平为(5.59±1.50)％,健康对照者为(4.85±0.95)％,两组差异有统计学意义(t=2.191,P=0.033).HBV感染者外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg水平与HBV DNA载量呈正相关(r=0.495,P=0.003).肝组织炎症活动度(G)≤2患者31例,外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg表达水平为(5.80±1.44)％,高于4例G＞2患者的(4.00±0.77)％,两者比较差异有统计学意义(t=2.425,P=0.021).肝组织纤维化分期(S)＜2患者24例,外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg水平为(6.00±1.44)％,高于11例S≥2者的(4.70±1.24)％,两者比较差异有统计学意义(t=2.559,P=0.015).HBV感染者外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg水平与炎症活动度分级呈负相关(r=-0.539,P＝0.001),与纤维化分期亦呈负相关(r=-0.488,P=0.003).结论 CD4+ CD25+ CD127low/-Treg与乙型肝炎的病情慢性化、肝组织损伤有关,可能在疾病的发生、发展和转归中发挥重要的调节作用.
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