A Practical Model Evaluating Antiviral Cytokines by Natural Killer Cells in Treatment Naive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells play a major role in anti-viral immunity as first line defense during hepatitis B infection, particularly in untreated patients whose T cells functions are profoundly impaired. Cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α produced by NK cells are important anti-viral factors. However, there is lack of a quantifiable model to evaluate cytokine responses by NK cells. In this study, almost half of the patients (47.9%) beyond treatment criteria had high cytokine activity, although it was lower than those recommended for antiviral therapy (78.2%). Moreover, we developed a model that low levels of HBsAg, HBcAb, and albumin and high fibrosis values predicted strong antiviral cytokine production by NK cells. Based on the cut-off score (0.361) obtained fro

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5517634 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature