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Increased frequency of circulating Th17 cells in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

Li-Yuan Wang1, Qing-Hua Meng, Zhi-Qiang Zou

  • 1Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Wenhuaxi Road 107#, 250012 Jinan, China.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|October 11, 2011
PubMed

Insights

T helper 17 (Th17) cells and IL-17 are elevated in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF). Higher Th17 cell levels correlate with disease severity and predict a poorer prognosis in ACHBLF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hepatology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • T helper 17 (Th17) cells are implicated in liver disease pathogenesis.
  • The specific role of Th17 cells in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize circulating Th17 cells in ACHBLF patients.
  • To investigate the association between Th17 cells and disease progression in ACHBLF.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study involving 40 ACHBLF patients, 40 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and 20 healthy controls.
  • Quantification of peripheral Th17 cell frequency using flow cytometry.
  • Measurement of IL-17 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) via quantitative real-time PCR.

Main Results:

  • Significantly increased Th17 cell frequency and IL-17 mRNA levels in ACHBLF patients compared to CHB patients and healthy controls.
  • In ACHBLF, Th17 cell frequency positively correlated with serum total bilirubin and MELD scores, and negatively with prothrombin activity.
  • Elevated Th17 cell frequency and IL-17 mRNA levels were observed in non-survivors versus survivors of ACHBLF.

Conclusions:

  • Th17 cells and IL-17 may be associated with disease severity in ACHBLF.
  • Th17 cells and IL-17 levels could serve as indicators of prognosis in ACHBLF patients.
Abstract

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