Abstract
Th22 cells are a recently identified CD4+ T helper subset and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain diseases in humans, but the role of Th22 cells in liver cirrhosis (LC) remains unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression and clinical significance of intrahepatic Th22 cells in LC tissues. Samples of liver tissue of 20 LC patients and 12 normal controls (NC) were collected. Interleukin 22 (IL-22), IL-22R1 mRNA and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) expression were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression of Th22 and CD4+ cells in liver tissue was measured with immunohistochemistry. The number of intrahepatic Th22 and CD4+ cells increased markedly in LC patients and the number of Th22 cells positively correlated with the number of CD4+ cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, the number of Th22 cells positively correlated with the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as the Child-Pugh score in LC patients (p < 0.05). The expression of IL-22, IL-22R1 and AHR in LC patients was significantly increased compared with the NC group (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that the expression of intrahepatic Th22 cells increased in LC patients and was associated with the progression of LC.
Highlights
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection affects approx. 350 million individuals worldwide
Our findings suggest that the expression of intrahepatic Th22 cells increased in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients and was associated with the progression of LC
LC group – HBV-associated liver cirrhosis patients; NC group – normal controls; ALT – alanine aminotransferase; AST – aspartate aminotransferase; TBIL – total bilirubin; HBeAg – hepatitis Be antigen; ND – not determined; The data for age group, ALT, AST, and TBIL are shown as medians
Summary
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection affects approx. 350 million individuals worldwide. It has become a major public health threat, especially in China, where 0.5–1.0 million individuals die due to HBV-associated liver diseases each year.[1] Liver cirrhosis (LC) is defined as the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) forming fibrous scars that distort the hepatic architecture, and the subsequent development of nodules of regenerating hepatocytes. It has been demonstrated that CD4+ cells are essential to controlling HBV infection.[2] Th22 cells are a recently identified CD4+ T helper subset distinct from Th17 and Th1 cells They are characterized by high interleukin 22 (IL-22) production, but not IL-17 or interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and they express the chemokine receptors CCR4, CCR6 and CCR10.3,4 Th22 cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain diseases in humans, such as psoriasis,[5] Crohn’s disease[6] and gastric cancer.[7] the nature of Th22 cells in HBV-associated LC remains poorly understood. Th22 cells are a recently identified CD4+ T helper subset and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain diseases in humans, but the role of Th22 cells in liver cirrhosis (LC) remains unclear
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