To investigate the role of CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells in the chronic hepatitis C patients

• Main Authors: Shu ting Chang, 張舒婷
• Other Authors: C. Y. Lin
• Format: Others
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/06120064164657479804

碩士 === 長庚大學 === 生物醫學研究所 === 102 === Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of liver disease worldwide. The persistent infection of HCV is associated with impaired CD8 T cell function. Chronic infection can lead to fibrosis of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after decades. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver cancer even die. Human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) and CD38 are expressed by activated T cells during the acute phase of viral infections in humans. Previous studied indicated that the populations of CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells were increased when infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Epstein–Barr virus and Hepatitis B virus. However, the role of CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells during chronic HCV infection is poor described and their function has not been studied yet. In my study, results showed that the percentage of CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of chronic HCV patients was significantly increased when compared with healthy volunteer. The CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells have increased expression of cytotoxitc molecules but also with higher levels of inhibitory receptor than CD38-HLADR-CD8+ T cells. In addition, results showed these cells would accumulate in the inflamed liver. Results indicated that the both HCV specific and non-HCV-specific CD8+ T cells contributed to the increase of CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Moreover, the CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells would behave as innate CD8+ T cells and produce IFN-γ by cytokine-dependent pathway. Taken together, we suggest that during chronic HCV infection, these CD38+HLADR+CD8+ T cells, both HCV-specific and non-HCV specific, were increased and accumulated in the liver. Their role in the chronic hepatitis C needs to be elicited in the subsequent studies.