A prospective study of Ta and Balymphocyte subpopulations, CD81 expression levels on B cells and regulatory CD4+CD25+CD127low/aFoxP3+ T cells in patients with chronic HCV infection during pegylated interferonaalpha2a plus ribavirin treatment

• Published in: Journal of viral hepatitis 2011-06, Vol.18 (6), p.384-392
• Main Authors: Soldevila, B, Alonso, N, MartASHnezaArconada, MJ, Morillas, R M, Planas, R, SanmartASH, A M, MartASHnezaCA!ceres, EM
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CD81 antigen; Chronic infection; Hepatitis; Hepatitis C virus; Lymphocytes B; Lymphocytes T; Ribavirin
• ISSN: 1352-0504; 1365-2893
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01317.x

Resolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires a complex interplay between innate and adaptative immune responses. The role of lymphocyte subpopulations during combined antiviral treatment remains to be defined. This study was conducted to assess the effect of pegylated interferon-alpha2a (pegIFN- alpha 2a) and ribavirin treatment on peripheral blood lymphocytes, mainly on CD81 expression on B cells and CD4+CD25+CD127low/-FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with chronic HCV infection. Thirty-five patients with chronic HCV infection who started pegIFN- alpha 2a and ribavirin treatment were enrolled. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained at baseline before treatment (BT), mid-treatment (MT), the end of treatment (ET) and 24weeks post-treatment (PT). During combined antiviral treatment, a significant decrease in the percentage of CD3+, CD8+, CD3+gamma/delta ( gamma delta )+, CD19+ lymphocyte subpopulations and Tregs was observed. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of the CD4+ lymphocyte subpopulation and in CD81 expression levels on CD19+ B cells when BT was compared with ET (all P