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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
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Immune Checkpoint Molecules Expressed on CD4+ T Cell Subsets in Chronic Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Virus Carriers With

Dawei Cui1,2, Daixi Jiang3, Cuilin Yan1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|May 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Immune checkpoint molecules like LAG-3, TIM-3, and PD-1 are highly expressed on CD4+ T cells in chronic asymptomatic hepatitis B carriers (ASCs). This finding suggests potential therapeutic targets for chronic HBV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern.
  • Immune checkpoint molecules on CD4+ T cells are crucial in chronic HBV.
  • Their role in HBeAg-negative asymptomatic carriers (ASCs) is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate immune checkpoint molecule expression on CD4+ T cell subsets in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV ASCs.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for chronic HBV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ASCs and healthy controls (HC) were analyzed.
  • Flow cytometry was used to detect immune checkpoint molecules on CD4+ T cell subsets.
  • Real-time quantitative PCR analyzed mRNA expression of immune checkpoint molecules.

Main Results:

  • CD4+ T cells in ASCs showed higher expression of LAG-3, TIM-3, and PD-1 compared to HC.
  • Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in ASCs exhibited significantly high TIM-3 and PD-1 expression.
  • TIM-3 and CTLA-4 mRNA levels were elevated in ASCs, though CTLA-4+ CD4+ T cell frequency did not differ.

Conclusions:

  • High expression of immune checkpoint molecules on CD4+ T cell subsets is significant in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV ASCs.
  • These molecules represent potential therapeutic targets for managing chronic HBV infection.
Abstract

Keywords:
CD4+ T cellsasymptomatic HBV carrierschronic hepatitis B virushepatitis B virusimmune checkpoint molecules

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