Reduced frequency of natural killer cell on siglec-7(+) is associated with progression of hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis

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Objective: To explore the relationship between sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 7 (Siglec-7) expressed on NK cells and hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. Methods: Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 23 healthy controls and 31 patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A, n = 7; Child-Pugh B, n = 12; Child-Pugh C, n = 12). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained by using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation and the expression of Siglec-7 and NK cells phenotype and their subpopulations were detected by flow cytometry. Comparisons between various groups were performed using t -test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlations between variables were analyzed using Pearson's-correlation coefficient. Results: (1) There was no significant difference in the percentage of NK cells and in their subpopulations with HBV-related cirrhosis and healthy controls. (2) Siglec-7 expression on NK cells in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis(62.44±13.45%)was significantly down-regulated than that to healthy controls(75.39±12.19%)while the frequency of Siglec-7(+) NK cells were negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score. (3) Subpopulation analysis showed that Siglec-7 expression on CD56(bright)CD16(-)NK cells(66.99±15.93%)was significantly lower than CD56(dim)CD16(+)NK cells(76.54±13.9%) in HBV-related cirrhosis. However, the expression of Siglec-7 in healthy controls showed no difference in these two NK cell subsets. (4) Phenotypic analysis showed that Siglec-7(+) NK cells express higher levels of activating receptor CD16, CD38, NKp46 and lower levels of inhibitory receptor CD158b. Indeed, the frequency of CD16 and CD38 on Siglec-7(+) NK cells in HBV-related cirrhosis was lower than that in healthy controls. Conclusion: The disease progression in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis is associated to decreased frequencies of Siglec-7(+)NK cells.