Elevated Expression of Chemokine CXCL13 in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Links to Immune Control during Antiviral Therapy.

ABSTRACT: C-X-C-chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), the ligand for C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5), is a major regulator of B-cell trafficking and plays an integral role in age-dependent clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the mouse model. However, the expression and function of CXCL13 in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain unknown. By use of liver cell subpopulations isolated from CHB patients, we found that CXCL13 mRNA was abundantly expressed in Kupffer cells (KCs), but not in primary hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells. Interestingly, KC isolated from HBV-positive liver had much higher level of CXCL13 expression than non-HBV-infected controls. And its expression was induced by toll-like receptor 3 ligand poly I:C stimulation. Moreover, int

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5362616 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature