Analysis of T cell receptor Vbeta gene usage during the course of disease in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

The T cell receptor (TCR) is a heterodimeric molecule expressed on the surface of T cells and recognizes foreign peptides presented by the major histocompatibility complex on the surface of antigen-presenting cells or virus-infected cells. Analysis of TCR usage by T cells which recognize hepatitis B virus (HBV) provides further insight into the participation of T cell populations during the course of disease. In this study, we examined the T-cell-proliferative response and the TCR Vbeta gene usage of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 3 patients with clinical evidence typical of chronic hepatitis B. All 3 patients had significant T-cell proliferative responses against HBV core antigen (HBcAg) during the remission stage, while no responses were detected during the acute exacerbation stage. In addition, the TCR Vbeta7 gene was utilized more frequently in T cells recognizing HBcAg during remission, while TCR Vbeta1 and Vbeta2 were utilized at a higher percentage during acute exacerbation. On the contrary, the T cell proliferative response against HBV surface antigen was undetectable and no specific Vbeta gene was utilized more frequently by all 3 patients, regardless of disease state. Our longitudinal studies, although based on a small sample of patients, demonstrate that the population of HBcAg-activated T cells alters during the course of disease in chronic hepatitis B patients.