Objectives: Characterization of Treg lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+) in immune response in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C.
Materials and methods: Two groups of patients were included: Group A (10 patients with chronic hepatitis C); Group B (10 healthy controls). In both groups, liver markers, liver function tests, lymphocyte typing, serum HCV-RNA were assessed. Liver biopsy was executed in Group A only. Peripheral venous samples were analyzed by citofluorimetric analysis, liver biopsy's samples were studied by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Group A patients showed a larger expression of Treg (CD4+CD25+) in peripheral blood than Group B with an ipo-expression of a subpopulation of Treg FoxP3+ (CD4+CD25hi). Group B patients showed a higher ratio (CD4+CD25hi/CD4+CD25+) than Group A. Liver biopsy samples showed a clear positivity for FoxP3+ Treg cells in the inflammatory infiltrated.
Conclusion: Our study's preliminary results seem to indicate that Treg lymphocytes are really involved in flogistic process in course of chronic hepatitis C. Peripheral blood of infected patients (Group A) shows a low expression of Foxp3+ cells because they are sequestrated in the liver. These cells could be involved in the pathogenesis of the chronic disease and they would be employed how potential agents for a immunomodulatory therapy.