The Role Of CD4+CD25+Regulatory T Cells In The Pathogenesis Of Severe Hepatitis B Patients

Objective To explore the possible role of CD4~+CD25~+Regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of severe hepatitis B patients Methods The frequency of CD4~+CD25~+T cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 30 cases of severe hepatitis B patients, 20 cases of chronic hepatitis B patients, 20 cases of chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers and 10 cases of healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry and their HBVDNA serum levels were detected by PCR Results A lower proportion of CD4~+CD25~+Regulatory T Cells in PBMCs was found in severe hepatitis B patients(mean%,2.63 ±0.83)when compared with chronic hepatitis B patients(mean%,4.15 ±1.17, P<0.05) , chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers(mean%,8.32 ±2.72, P<0.01) and healthy controls (8.10 ±2.65%, P<0.01). there was significantly difference on the frequency of CD4~+CD25~+Regulatory T Cells in PBMCs between chronic hepatitis B patients and asymptomatic HBV carriers( P<0.05).But no statistically significant differences were found between asymptomatic HBV carriers and healthy controls(p>0.05). there were significantly differences on HBVDNA serum levels of Severe hepatitis B patients( 1.2×10~4 )copies/ml when compared with chronic hepatitis B patients( 2.3×10~6copies/ml,P<0.01) , chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (7.8×10~5copies/ml, P<0.01).But no significant differences were found between asymptomatic HBV carriers and chronic hepatitis B patients.Furthermore ,correlation analysis showed that there was positive correlation between HBVDNA serum levels and the frequency of CD4+CD25+Regulatory T Cells in PBMCs in hepatitis B patients: r1=0.447(asymptomatic HBV carriers, P<0.05); r2=0.453(chronic hepatitis B patients,P<0.05); r3=0.482 (Severe hepatitis B patients,P<0.01). Conclusion 1.CD4+CD25+Regulatory T Cells could suppress T Cell Response against Hepatitis B Virus and play an important role in preventing the pathogenesis of hepatitis B;the frequency of CD4+CD25+Regulatory T Cells in PBMCs in hepatitis B patients correlated with the disease 2. The expression of CD4+CD25+ T cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in severe hepatitis patients were too low and HBV-specific CD8(+)T cell responses were enhanced , promoting excessive pathogenetic response without the balance of immunoregulation and resulting in hepatic flares and apoptosis 3.There was positive correlation between HBVDNA serum levels and the frequency of CD4+CD25+Regulatory T Cells in PBMCs in hepatitis B patients...