Differential regulation of T and B lymphocytes by PD-1 and SOCS-1 signaling in hepatitis C virus-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Immunol Invest. 2011;40(3):243-64. doi: 10.3109/08820139.2010.534218. Epub 2011 Feb 3.

Abstract

HCV infection is associated with immune dysregulation and B cell Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (HCV-NHL). We have previously shown in vitro that HCV core protein differentially regulates T and B cell functions through two negative signaling pathways, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1). In this report, we performed a detailed immunologic analysis of T and B cell functions in the setting of HCV-NHL. We observed that T cells isolated from patients with HCV-NHL exhibited an exhausted phenotype including decreased expression of viral-specific and non-specific activation markers; whereas B cells exhibited an activated phenotype including over-expression of cell activation markers and immunoglobulins compared to healthy subjects. Individuals with HCV alone or NHL alone exhibited abnormal T and B cell phenotypes, but to a lesser extent compared to HCV-NHL. This differential activation of T and B lymphocytes was inversely associated with the expression of PD-1 and SOCS-1. Interestingly, blocking PD-1 during TCR activation inhibited SOCS-1 gene expression, suggesting that these regulatory pathways are linked in T cells. Importantly, blocking PD-1 also restored the impaired T cell functions observed in the setting of HCV-NHL. These results support a coordinated mechanism by which HCV might cause immune dysregulation that is associated to HCV-NHL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* / complications
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Signal Transduction
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins