Change in T cell subset of chronic HBV carriers with different ages

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of the transition from immunological tolerance to immunological activation of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. METHODS: T cell subsets were examined in chronic HBV carriers (n = 104) and health controls (n = 40). The carriers were divided into different groups at age intervals of 5, 10 and 20 years. The T cell subsets and the positive rate of HBeAg were comparatively analyzed between different groups. RESULTS: In comparison with those in health controls, the levels of CD3, CD4, and CD4/CD8, in chronic HBV carriers were significantly lower (F = 5.976, P = 0.016, F = 46.244, P = 0.0001, and F = 254.357, P = 0.0001, for CD3, CD4, and CD4/CD8 respectively), but the level of CD8 was higher (F = 103.848, P = 0.0001). The number of CD8, T cells was significantly decreased in chronic carriers over 30 years old (F = 6.726, P = 0.011). Before 30 years old, the CD4 level in HBeAg positive group was lower than that in HBeAg negative group. CONCLUSION: Human leukocyte antigen restriction and CD4 T cell nonresponsiveness as well as the HBeAg adjustment of immunological tolerance determine that the turning point of the illness state and cell immune function of chronic HBV carriers occurs at the age around 30 years old.