CD4+CD25+CD127(low) Regulatory T Cells Play Predominant Anti-Tumor Suppressive Role in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide and hepatitis B is one of the commonest causes. T regulatory cells (Tregs) are strong immunomodulators and are likely to play a major role in HCC development. HBV infection is reported to induce expansion of Tregs. We investigated the CD4+CD25+CD127(-ve)FoxP3+ Tregs in HBV-related HCC as compared to non-HBV-HCC.

Patients and methods

Whole blood immunophenotyping was analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry in patients with HBV-related HCC (HBV-HCC, n = 17), non-HBV-HCC (n = 22; NASH = 16, alcohol-related = 6), and chronic hepatitis B infection (CHBV; n = 10). Tregs functionality was checked by in vitro suppression assays using CD4+ CD25+ CD127(low) Tregs. Levels of serum alpha-fetopr

SUBMITTER: Sharma S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4341117 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature