Circulating chemokine (C‐X‐C Motif) receptor 5+CD4+ T cells benefit hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion through IL‐21 in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Issue 4 (19th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yongyin; Ma, Shiwu; Tang, Libo; Li, Yun; Wang, Wei; Huang, Xuan; Lai, Qintao; Zhang, Mingxia; Sun, Jian; Li, Chris Kafai; Abbott, William G.H.; Naoumov, Nikolai V.; Zhang, Yu; Hou, Jinlin
• Is Part Of: Hepatology. Volume 58:Issue 4(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1277
• Page End: 1286
• Publication Date: 2013-08-19
• Subjects: Heart -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Lungs -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Intensive care nursing -- Periodicals; Foie -- Maladies -- Périodiques; 616.362
• DOI: 10.1002/hep.26489
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-9139

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Given the clinical significance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, it is critical to elucidate the mechanisms regulating this process. In the present study, we found that the frequency of circulating chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 5 (CXCR5)<sup>+</sup>CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells was higher in patients who had achieved HBeAg seroconversion in both cross‐sectional (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001) and longitudinal (<italic>P =</italic> 0.009) studies. These cells were able to produce a significantly higher level of intracellular interleukin 21 (IL‐21) after stimulation with HBV peptides in patients with telbivudine‐induced HBeAg seroconversion (<italic>P</italic> = 0.007). Furthermore, sorted CXCR5<sup>+</sup>CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells from HBeAg seroconverters boosted a higher frequency of antibody against hepatitis B e antigen (anti‐HBe)‐secreting B cells in coculture assay (<italic>P</italic> = 0.011). Of note, the increase in frequency of anti‐HBe‐secreting B cells was abrogated by soluble recombinant IL‐21 receptor‐Fc chimera (<italic>P</italic> = 0.027), whereas exogenous recombinant IL‐21 enhanced this effect (<italic>P</italic> = 0.043). Additionally, circulating CXCR5<sup>+</sup>CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells shared similar phenotypic markers, and were positively correlated in frequency with, splenic follicular T helper cells. <italic>Conclusion</italic>: Circulating CXCR5<sup>+</sup>CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells, by producing IL‐21, may have a significant role in facilitating HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic HBV infection. (H<sc>epatology</sc> 2013;58:1277–1286)</p> </abstract>