The Expression Of Circulating TFH Cells,CD19~+B Cells And Associated Cytokines In Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection is associated with abnormal T cell and B cell immune responses. T follicular helper(TFH) cells are a subset of CD4~+ T-helper cells and can activate B cells.This study aimed to investigate the role of circulating CXCR5~+CD4~+ TFH cells, CD19~+ B cells and the associated cytokines in patients with chronic HCV infection.Methods: The frequencies and phenotypes of circulating TFH cells and B cell subtypes were characterized using flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis C(CHC) patients and in healthy controls(HCs). The expression of IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17 F, IL-22, IL-23, TGF-β1, IL-10 and IL-21 associated with Th1, Th2, Th17, regulatory T cells(Treg) and TFH cells were analyzed using a Quantibody array. The patients’ clinical parameters were detected, and the effect of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin treatment on these immune indicators in CHC patients was determined.Results: The frequency of CXCR5~+CD4~+ T cells was significantlyhigher in CHC patients compared to HCs. There were no significant differences in CD19~+ B cells, CD19~+CD27~+ B cells, or CD19~+CD38~+ B cells between CHC patients and HCs. The expressions of cytokines associated with the CD4~+ Th lineage were higher in CHC patients than in HCs, except for IL-21. Patients with rapid virological response(RVR)showed an increased CXCR5~+CD4~+ T cell count and decreased PD-1~+CXCR5~+CD4~+ T cell count compared to Non-RVR patients after PEG-IFN/ribavirin treatment.Conclusions: These data demonstrate that circulating TFH cells and CD4~+ Th lineage-associated cytokines may play a role in HCV-related immune responses.