Quantification and localisation of FOXP3+ T lymphocytes and relation to hepatic inflammation during chronic HCV infection

J Hepatol. 2007 Sep;47(3):316-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2007.03.023. Epub 2007 Apr 12.

Abstract

Background/aims: T lymphocyte-mediated immune reactions are closely involved in the pathogenesis of HCV-induced chronic liver disease. Regulatory T cells are able to suppress HCV-specific T lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine secretion during chronic HCV infection. We wished to address to what extent regulatory T cells exist in the livers of HCV+ individuals, and what the role of such cells might be in disease progression.

Methods: We analysed the frequency and distribution of FOXP3+ cells, along with CD4, CD8 and CD20+ cells, in liver biopsies of 28 patients with chronic HCV and 14 patients with PBC, and correlated these data with histological parameters.

Results: A striking number of FOXP3+ cells were present in the portal tract infiltrates of HCV-infected livers. FOXP3+ cells were largely CD4+ and there was a remarkably consistent ratio of total CD4+:FOXP3+ cells in liver across a wide range of disease states of around 2:1. This differed substantially from the ratio observed in PBC (10:1, P=0.001).

Conclusions: An unexpectedly high proportion of the cellular infiltrate in persistent HCV infection comprises FOXP3+ cells. The relative proportion of FOXP3+ cells remains similar in both mild and severe fibrosis. These cells are likely to play a critical role in intrahepatic immune regulation, although their overall role in disease progression remains to be determined.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology*

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors