Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 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
Changes in the proportions of CD4(+)T cell subsets defined by CD127 and CD25 expression during HBV infection
Hong-Tao Xu1, Jun Ye, Ya-Bao Chen
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province 225300, China.
Insights
Changes in specific CD4(+) T cell subsets are linked to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection progression. Understanding these CD127 and CD25 marker shifts offers insights into chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disease dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Hepatology
Background:
- CD4(+) T cell counts are critical indicators in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- The specific roles of CD4(+) T cell subsets defined by CD127 and CD25 expression in HBV infection remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in three distinct CD4(+) T cell subsets (CD127(-)CD25(-), CD127(+)CD25(low/-), and CD127(low)CD25(high)) during HBV infection.
- To correlate these subset proportions with different stages of HBV infection and treatment responses.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportions of CD4(+) T cell subsets.
- Comparison between healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, HBV carriers, and HBV-DNA positive/negative groups.
- Follow-up analysis of CHB patients undergoing interferon-α2b treatment.
Main Results:
- CD127(-)CD25(-) proportions increased, while CD127(+)CD25(low/-) decreased in CHB patients and carriers compared to controls.
- CD127(low)CD25(high) subset was significantly elevated in CHB patients.
- Treatment with interferon-α2b led to decreased CD127(-)CD25(-) and increased CD127(low/-)CD25(high) proportions.
Conclusions:
- Specific alterations in CD4(+) T cell subsets expressing CD127 and CD25 are associated with the progression of HBV infection.
- These subset changes may serve as potential biomarkers for monitoring HBV disease activity and treatment efficacy.
Abstract:
CD4(+)T cell counts are closely related to the progression of HBV infection. Here, we investigated how the proportions of three CD4(+)T cell subsets - CD127(-)CD25(-), CD127(+)CD25(low/-) and CD127(low)CD25(high) - changed during HBV infection, as is little known. Compared with healthy controls, the proportions of CD127(-)CD25(-) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and HBV carriers significantly increased, while that of CD127(+)CD25(low/-) significantly decreased. The proportion of CD127(low)CD25(high) in CHB patients was significantly higher than those in HBV carriers or healthy controls. Compared with HBV-DNA negative group, the proportion of CD127(-)CD25(-) in positive group significantly decreased and that of CD127(+)CD25(low/-) significantly increased. In the follow-up study for CHB patients treated with interferon-α2b for 12 weeks or 24 weeks, the proportions of CD127(-)CD25(-) significantly decreased, while that of CD127(low/-)CD25(high) significantly increased. The results suggested that specific changes in the fraction of CD4(+)T cell subsets expressing CD127 and/or CD25 were associated with hepatitis B progression.
