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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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
Detectable expression of IL-35 in CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood of chronic hepatitis B patients
1Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Tumor Immunology, Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, PR China. hliu@suda.edu.cn
Abstract:
Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (Ebi3) and the p35 subunit of IL-12 have been reported to form a heterodimeric cytokine, named IL-35, in human and mouse. In mice, IL-35 has been shown to be constitutively expressed by CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suggested to contribute to their suppressive activity. However, human CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs do not constitutively express detectable amounts of IL-35 in both mRNA and protein levels. Circulating CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg frequency of chronic Hepatitis B patients significantly correlates with serum viral load. In this study, we investigated whether IL-35 expression could be detected in CD4(+) T cells from peripheral blood of chronic Hepatitis B patients. Using both RT-PCR and immunoprecipitation plus Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that IL-35 expression could be detected in the CD4(+) T cells from peripheral blood of Chronic Hepatitis B patients.
Insights
Interleukin-35 (IL-35) was detected in CD4+ T cells of chronic Hepatitis B patients. This finding contrasts with previous studies on human regulatory T cells (Tregs).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a heterodimeric cytokine formed by Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (Ebi3) and IL-12p35.
- In mice, IL-35 is constitutively expressed by regulatory T cells (Tregs) and linked to their suppressive function.
- Human Tregs typically do not show constitutive IL-35 expression at mRNA or protein levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of IL-35 in CD4+ T cells from patients with chronic Hepatitis B.
- To explore potential differences in IL-35 expression in the context of chronic viral infection.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect IL-35 mRNA.
- Immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot analysis to detect IL-35 protein.
Main Results:
- IL-35 expression was successfully detected in CD4+ T cells from the peripheral blood of chronic Hepatitis B patients.
- This indicates that IL-35 can be expressed in CD4+ T cells under specific pathological conditions, such as chronic Hepatitis B.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates detectable IL-35 expression in CD4+ T cells of chronic Hepatitis B patients.
- This finding suggests a potential role for IL-35 in the immune response to chronic Hepatitis B, diverging from typical human Treg expression patterns.
