Open Access

Evaluation of circulating CD4+CD25+ and liver-infiltrating Foxp3+ cells in HCV-associated liver disease

  • Authors:
    • Alfredo Amoroso
    • Fabio D'Amico
    • Maria Consolo
    • Evangelia Skarmoutsou
    • Sergio Neri
    • Umberto Dianzani
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
    • Maria Clorinda Mazzarino
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 22, 2012     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2012.947
  • Pages: 983-988
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Abstract

In hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver disease, the immune system is unable to clear the viral infection. Previous studies have raised the possibility of an involvement of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this study, we analysed the peripheral blood from 30 patients with HCV-associated chronic liver disease and 20 healthy controls by flow cytometry for the evaluation of the Treg population [CD4+CD25hi forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)+], as well as the activated/effector CD4+ T cells (CD4+CD25low) and IFN-γ-secreting cells. We also analysed liver biopsies of the patients by immunohistochemical evaluation of Foxp3+ cells. Our results showed higher proportions of CD4+CD25low and IFN-γ+ cells in the patients than in the controls. By contrast, the proportions of peripheral CD4+CD25hi cells did not significantly differ. The 11 patients displaying Foxp3+ cells in the liver infiltrates showed significantly higher proportions of peripheral CD4+CD25low cells. Moreover, we found lower serum transaminase levels in the patients than in the controls, as shown by Foxp3+ immunohistochemistry, although these results were only statistically significant as regards alanine transaminase (ALT). In conclusion, these data suggest that the presence of Tregs infiltrating the liver is associated with high levels of activated/effector T cells in the peripheral blood and lower activity of hepatitis. Therefore, liver-infiltrating Tregs may play a role in limiting tissue damage and may thus support an effective immune response against HCV.

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June 2012
Volume 29 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Amoroso A, D'Amico F, Consolo M, Skarmoutsou E, Neri S, Dianzani U, Spandidos DA and Mazzarino MC: Evaluation of circulating CD4+CD25+ and liver-infiltrating Foxp3+ cells in HCV-associated liver disease. Int J Mol Med 29: 983-988, 2012.
APA
Amoroso, A., D'Amico, F., Consolo, M., Skarmoutsou, E., Neri, S., Dianzani, U. ... Mazzarino, M.C. (2012). Evaluation of circulating CD4+CD25+ and liver-infiltrating Foxp3+ cells in HCV-associated liver disease. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 29, 983-988. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2012.947
MLA
Amoroso, A., D'Amico, F., Consolo, M., Skarmoutsou, E., Neri, S., Dianzani, U., Spandidos, D. A., Mazzarino, M. C."Evaluation of circulating CD4+CD25+ and liver-infiltrating Foxp3+ cells in HCV-associated liver disease". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 29.6 (2012): 983-988.
Chicago
Amoroso, A., D'Amico, F., Consolo, M., Skarmoutsou, E., Neri, S., Dianzani, U., Spandidos, D. A., Mazzarino, M. C."Evaluation of circulating CD4+CD25+ and liver-infiltrating Foxp3+ cells in HCV-associated liver disease". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 29, no. 6 (2012): 983-988. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2012.947