Changes of Treg/Th17 cell during perioperative period of pediatric liver transplant recipients of biliary atresia

Abstract

Objective To explore the expressions of regulatory T cell (Treg) and T helper cell 17 (Th17) during perioperative period of liver transplant (LT) in children of biliary atresia (BA). Methods Peripheral blood samples were harvested from children of surgical observation group at 1 week pre-LT, 2 weeks and 4 weeks post-LT respectively. And recipients were followed up for >1 year post-LT and healthy controls were designated. The proportions of Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood pre- and post-LT were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The proportions of CD4+ T lymphocytes at different time-points pre- and post-LT were higher in BA patients than those in healthy control group (P 0.05). The Treg proportions were lower in pediatric receipients than those in health control group (5.06%±1.33%, P 0.05). The Treg proportion in recipients at >1 year post-LT was higher than that during early post-LT period (P 0.05). Conclusions The proportion of Treg cells is lower at pre-LT in pediatric BA patients and there is a declining trend at 1 month post-LT. However, the proportion of Th17 cells is higher at pre-LT and it is rising during this period. This change is probably correlated with an immune imbalance and inflammatory response stimulated by a new graft post-LT. Key words: Child; Liver transplantation; Biliary atresia; Th17 cells; Regulatory T cell