Expressions of Treg/Th17 cells in post liver transplantation acute rejection in pediatric recipients diagnosed with biliary atresia

Abstract

Objective To study the expressions of regulatory T cell (Treg) and T helper cell 17 (Th17) in post liver transplantation (LT) acute rejection in pediatric recipients diagnosed with biliary atresia. Methods 12 pediatric recipients with post-LT acute rejection in Tianjin First Center Hospital from July 2016 to April 2017 were included in the rejection group, and 22 patients with normal graft functions for more than 1 year post-LT were included in the stable group. The pre-LT primary disease in all the recipients was biliary atresia with cholestatic cirrhosis. Ten healthy children were included in the control group. Peripheral blood samples were taken before and at 1 week after anti-rejection treatment in the rejection group. Blood samples were taken during follow-up in the stable group and in the normal control. The proportions of Treg cell and Th17 cell were detected by flow cytometry. Results The proportions of Treg cells in the rejection group and the stable group were both significantly lower than the control group (P 0.05). The proportion of Th17 cells in the rejection group was significantly higher than the stable group (P<0.05) and the control group (P<0.05), respectively; and the proportion in the stable group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, there was also significant increase in the proportion of CD3+ CD8+ CD28+ T in the rejection group (P<0.05). After anti-rejection therapy, the proportions of Treg cell and Th17 cell became significantly lower than before therapy (P<0.05). Conclusions The balance in Treg /Th17 cells occurred in the acute phase of rejection post-LT in pediatric recipients with biliary atresia, which persisted into the early period after anti-rejection therapy. Key words: Liver transplantation; GRaft rejection; T-lymphocytes, regulatory; Th17 cell; Biliary atresia; Child