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Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix
Published on: October 20, 2021
[Identification of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells in chronic HBV-infected patients]
Qing-Feng Liu1, Zheng Zhang, Jin-Xia Yao
1Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.
Insights
Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have fewer circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that are less functional. This reduction in pDCs may contribute to the progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a significant global health concern.
- Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play a crucial role in antiviral immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of circulating pDCs in CHB patients.
- To understand the role of pDCs in the immunopathogenesis of HBV infection.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 20 CHB patients and 15 healthy controls.
- Isolated and detected pDCs using immunomagnetic assay and flow cytometry.
- Stimulated pDCs in vitro and measured interferon-alpha (IFNa) production and co-stimulatory molecule expression.
Main Results:
- CHB patients exhibited significantly lower pDC frequency compared to controls.
- Isolated pDCs from CHB patients showed reduced IFNa production and lower CD80/CD40 expression after stimulation.
- pDC frequency inversely correlated with serum ALT levels in CHB patients.
Conclusions:
- Reduced numbers and impaired function of circulating pDCs are observed in CHB patients.
- These pDC abnormalities may be associated with CHB disease progression.
Objective:
To investigate the features of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B for a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of HBV infection.
Methods:
Fresh blood samples were collected from 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and from 15 healthy individuals who served as controls. pDCs were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using immunomagnetic assay and detected by flow cytometry. Fresh PBMCs and isolated pDCs were stimulated in vitro using CpG ODN2216. The supernatants were measured for IFNa production using ELISA.
Results:
The peripheral pDCs frequency in CHB patients (0.192%+/-0.110%) was markedly lower than that in the healthy controls (0.287%+/-0.142%). After being pulsed with CpG ODN2216, the isolated pDCs produced lower levels of IFNa and expressed lower levels of CD80 and CD40 in the CHB patients when compared to those of the healthy controls. The level of IFNa was (972.6+/-705.5) pg/ml in the patients and (3 142.9+/-1 292.2) pg/ml in the controls. Moreover, the pDCs frequency was reversely correlated with serum ALT levels in these HBV infected patients.
Conclusion:
The reduced number and impaired function of circulating pDCs in patients with CHB may be related to their disease progression.
