Peripheral blood T, B, and NK cells in relation to histological hepatitis activity and fibrosis stage in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many data on the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C have pointed to host's immune system disorders and a high variety of virus. However, there are no known criteria that could prognose the course of chronic hepatitis C infection. The analysis of T and B lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood was undertaken in patients with chronic hepatitis C of more than 6 months of duration.

METHODOLOGY

Fluorescein isothiocyanate or phycoerythryne conjugated monoclonal antibodies for CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD3++ HLA DR+, CD16++ CD56+ were used. The correlation between histological hepatitis activity and fibrosis (according Scheuer's scale) and the distribution of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood was sought.

RESULTS

All patients with chronic hepatitis showed statistically significant increase in active lymphocytes CD3++ HLA DR+ and CD16++ CD56+ NK cells in peripheral blood. We observed the correlation between these cells and histological hepatitis activity and fibrosis. There was no correlation between the value of CD3+ and CD8+ cells and the stage of liver failure. In the early stage of chronic hepatitis C we noted decrease CD4+ cells with increase B cells CD19+. CD4+/CD8+ ratio was maintained as slightly decreased in chronic hepatitis C in favor of lymphocytes CD8+.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show the correlation between peripheral blood value of activated T cell (HLA DR+) and NK cells with histological activity and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Lymphocyte T (CD4+, CD8+) and B (CD19+) did not correlate with grade and stage of hepatitis C.