Dynamic Analysis Of CD127 Expression On CD8 T Cells From Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B During Antiviral Treatment

Background:Accumulating evidence supports the theory that the expression of CD 127 on CD8 T cells during the process of antiviral immune response indicates a subset of effector CD8 T cells that successfully develop into fully protective memory. The expression of CD 127 of CD8 T cells may be used as a predictor to evaluate disease status in chronic viral infection.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the CD 127 expression level on different subsets of CD8 T cell and explore the relationship between CD127 expression on CD8 memory T cells and serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We also aimed to investigate the CD 127 expression pattern on CD8 memory T cells of CHB patients who were treated with peginterferon a-2a and Telbivudine.Methods:1.20 HBeAg-positive chronic chronic hepatits B(CHB) patients treated with Pegasys 180 u g once a week for 48 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks. 20 HBeAg-positive and HLA-A2-positive chronic chronic hepatits B(CHB) patients treated with telbivudine 600 mg once a day for 48 weeks.2. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated'from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA-k2) anticoagulated blood samples on a Ficoll-Histopaque density gradient. After isolation, cells were studied immediately by four-colour flow cytometry. The memory CD8 T cells was characterized by expression CD45RA and CD 27 markers, and CD 127 cell surface expression was measured3. Pentamer+ CD8 T cells were detected by staining with pentameric peptide-HLA2 complex containing HBV Core 18-27/env183-191. CD 127 expression on HBV-specific CD8 T cells was performed as described previously.Results:1. The results showed that CHB infection was associated with a fall in CD 127 expression on memory CD8 T cells compared with healthy controls(P<0.05) There was a strong negative correlation between CD 127 expression on memory CD8 T cells and serum HBV DNA and HBeAg levels in CHB patients.2. CD 127 expression on memory CD8 T cells increased markedly by Pegasys in responder compared with non-responder(P<0.05)3. Moreover, successful antiviral(Telbivudine) therapy increased CD 127 expression on CD8 memory T cells as well as on HBV-specific CD8 T cells in CHB patients.Conclusion:These results suggest that diminished CD 127 expression on CD8 memory T cells of CHB patients is a potential mechanism explaining cellular immune function impairment in CHB infection, and that CD 127 expression on CD8 memory T cells is a marker for the development of memory CD8 T cells after effective antiviral therapy and a useful indicator for evaluating the effects of anti-HBV therapy.