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Effect of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C on the frequency of regulatory T cells, T‐cell activation, and serum levels of TGF ‐beta
Author(s) -
Chalupa Pavel,
Davidová Alžběta,
Beran Ondřej,
Arientová Simona,
Boštík Pavel,
Kapla Jaroslav,
Kondělková Kateřina,
Plíšek Stanislav,
Holub Michal
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/apm.12561
Subject(s) - flow cytometry , immunology , medicine , hepatitis c virus , interferon , hepatitis c , virology , virus
The aim was to analyze T‐regulatory cells (Tregs), activated CD 8 + T cells, and transforming growth factor‐beta ( TGF )‐β in hepatitis C patients. We enrolled 31 patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) infection, 30 seropositive persons with spontaneous HCV elimination, and 23 healthy volunteers. The patients were examined at the beginning of the interferon‐alpha ( IFN ‐α)‐based therapy (baseline) and at weeks 4 (W4) and 12 (W12) of the therapy. The percentage of Tregs and the expression of activation markers CD 38 and HLA ‐ DR on CD 8 + T cells were analyzed in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Serum levels of TGF ‐β were measured in a multiplex assay using flow cytometry. The percentage of Tregs in patients was higher than in controls and seropositive persons. Similarly, the percentage of CD 8 + T cells expressing CD 38 and HLA ‐ DR was higher in patients compared with controls and seropositive persons. Chronic HCV infection is associated with elevated circulating Tregs and activated CD 8 + T cells. During IFN ‐α‐based therapy these cells gradually increase, whereas TGF ‐β serum levels decrease.