Original Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2011; 17(17): 2191-2198
Published online May 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i17.2191
Parallel decline of CD8+CD38+ lymphocytes and viremia in treated hepatitis B patients
Wei Cao, Zhi-Feng Qiu, Tai-Sheng Li
Wei Cao, Zhi-Feng Qiu, Tai-Sheng Li, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
Author contributions: Cao W, Qiu ZF and Li TS designed the research; Cao W and Qiu ZF performed the research; Cao W and Li TS analyzed the data; Cao W and Li TS wrote the paper.
Supported by National Key Technologies R&D Program for the 11th Five-year Plan, No. 2008ZX10001-006
Correspondence to: Dr. Tai-Sheng Li, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China. litsh@263.net
Telephone: +86-10-65295046 Fax: +86-10-65295046
Received: August 20, 2010
Revised: September 25, 2010
Accepted: October 2, 2010
Published online: May 7, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To assess the peripheral T lymphocyte subsets in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and their dynamics in response to adefovir dipivoxil monotherapy.

METHODS: Proportions and absolute counts of peripheral natural killer cells, B cells, CD8+, CD4+, CD8+CD38+, CD8+CD28+ and CD4+CD28+ T cells were determined using three-color flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis B patients (n = 35), HBV carriers (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 35). Adefovir dipivoxil was initiated in 17 chronic hepatitis B patients who were regularly followed for 72 wk, during which period the T cell subsets and serum viral load were measured at each follow-up point.

RESULTS: The peripheral CD4+ T cell counts and CD8+ T cell counts decreased in chronic HBV infection. In chronic hepatitis B patients, proportions of CD8+CD38+ T cells were 62.0% ± 14.7%, much higher than those of HBV carriers and healthy controls. In the 13 hepatitis B patients who were treated and responded to adefovir dipivoxil, proportions of CD8+CD38+ T cells decreased from 53.9% ± 18.4% pre-therapy to 20.1% ± 11.3% by week 72 (P < 0.001), concomitant with viral load decline (HBV DNA fell from 7.31 to 3 log copies/mL). CD8+ T cell counts also underwent an average increase of 218 cells/μL by the end of 72-wk treatment. In those who failed the therapy, the CD8+CD38+ T cell population had more fluctuations.

CONCLUSION: CD8+ T cells abnormally activated in chronic HBV infection can be partially reversed by antiviral therapy. HBV-associated immune activation may be a crucial part of the pathogenesis and a promising target of treatment.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Chronic hepatitis B; CD8+CD38+; T cell subsets