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Expansions of CD8CD28− and CD8TcRVβ5.2 T Cells in Peripheral Blood of Heavy Alcohol Drinkers
Author(s) -
Arosa Fernando A.,
Porto Graça,
Cabeda José Manuel,
Lacerda Rosa,
Resende Dolores,
Cruz Eugenia,
Cardoso Carla,
Fonseca Mafalda,
Simões Carla,
Rodrigues Pedro,
Bravo Fernanda,
Oliveira José Carlos,
Alves Helena,
Fraga José,
Justiça Benvindo,
Sousa Maria
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb02020.x
Subject(s) - cd8 , cd28 , t cell , t lymphocyte , flow cytometry , alcohol consumption , t cell receptor , cytotoxic t cell , biology , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , immune system , alcohol , genetics , biochemistry , in vitro
Background: Despite heavy alcohol consumption, only a low percentage of heavy drinkers develop liver disease. Imbalances in T‐cell subsets and iron metabolism parameters are common findings in heavy drinkers, yet the possible role played by discrete T‐lymphocyte subsets under heavy alcohol consumption remains unclear. Methods: To gain new insights into the possible role played by T lymphocytes during alcohol consumption, characterization of CD28 expression and TcR repertoire in peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by two and three‐color flow cytometry was performed. A group of heavy alcohol drinkers (AHD, n = 71) and a group of age‐matched controls ( n = 81), both HLA‐phenotyped and HFE ‐genotyped, constituted the groups under study. Results: Marked expansions of CD28− T cells within the CD8+ but not the CD4+ T‐cell pool were observed in AHD compared with controls. These CD8+CD28− expansions were paralleled by expansions of CD8+ T cells bearing specific TcR Vα/β chains, namely Vβ5.2. Moreover, AHD, but not controls, carrying the H63D mutation in the HFE gene showed significantly higher percentages of CD28− T cells within the CD8+ T‐cell pool than AHD carrying the normal HFE gene. Finally, high numbers of CD8+CD28− T cells in AHD were associated with lower levels of the liver‐related enzymes ALT and GGT. Conclusions: This study showed that under active ethanol consumption, expansions of discrete CD8+ T‐cell subsets occur within the CD8+ T‐cell pool, that molecules of the MHC‐class I locus seem to influence the extent of the expansions, and that high numbers of CD8+CD28− T cells are associated with low levels of liver enzymes in AHD.