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- Title
Relationship between Regulatory T Cells and the Combination of Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis Type C.
- Authors
Akiyama, Motohisa; Ichikawa, Tatuki; Miyaaki, Hisamitsu; Motoyoshi, Yasuhide; Takeshita, Shigeyuki; Ozawa, Eisuke; Miuma, Satoshi; Shibata, Hidetaka; Taura, Naota; Nakao, Kazuhiko
- Abstract
Background/Aim: The frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be related to persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We studied the alteration of the Treg ratio in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from chronic hepatitis C patients during combination therapy compared with the Treg ratio in liver-infiltrating lymphocytes (LILs) before therapy. Method: The study group consisted of 20 patients who were treatment-naive and had high virus titers of HCV genotype 1. Blood samples were collected prior to treatment and at several time points during treatment. All patients received a liver biopsy prior to treatment. Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells in PBMCs and LILs were stained by specific antibodies. Results: Ten patients had a sustained virological response (SVR), and 10 patients were non-responders. The SVR group had a significant increase in the Foxp3+/CD4+ ratio in PBMCs at 8 and 12 weeks as well as a significant decrease in the Foxp3+/CD4+ ratio and increase in the CD8+/Foxp3+ ratio in LILs. Conclusion: The evaluation of Tregs, a potentially significant factor for persistent HCV infection, in LILs prior to treatment and in PBMCs during treatment could predict the result of combination therapy. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
- Subjects
HEPATITIS C; HEPATITIS C virus; RIBAVIRIN; T cells; GENETIC polymorphisms; GENETIC research
- Publication
Intervirology, 2010, Vol 53, Issue 3, p154
- ISSN
0300-5526
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000274976