Characteristics of peripheral and intrahepatic regulatory B cells in HBV-related liver cirrhosis

Regulatory B (Breg) cells have been demonstrated to play a suppressive role in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. However, the role of Breg in HBV-related liver cirrhosis has not been determined. Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and HBV-related liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Frequencies of peripheral B cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry. Intrahepatic B cells, IL-10 positive cells and Breg cells were determined by immunohistochemistry. We found that frequency of peripheral Breg cells was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients compared with that in healthy volunteers. Further, the amount of intrahepatic Breg cells was elevated in patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis. We identified a positive correlation between intrahepatic Breg cells and histological fibrosis stages. Our results suggested that Breg cells may play a role in HBV-related liver cirrhosis, but the function of Breg cells in cirrhosis remains to be further elucidated.