Effect of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C on the frequency of regulatory T cells, T‐cell activation, and serum levels of TGF‐beta

The aim was to analyze T‐regulatory cells (Tregs), activated CD8+ T cells, and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF)‐β in hepatitis C patients. We enrolled 31 patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 30 seropositive persons with spontaneous HCV elimination, and 23 healthy volunteers. The patients were examined at the beginning of the interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α)‐based therapy (baseline) and at weeks 4 (W4) and 12 (W12) of the therapy. The percentage of Tregs and the expression of activation markers CD38 and HLA‐DR on CD8+ T cells were analyzed in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Serum levels of TGF‐β were measured in a multiplex assay using flow cytometry. The percentage of Tregs in patients was higher than in controls and seropositive persons. Similarly, the percentage of CD8+ T cells expressing CD38 and HLA‐DR was higher in patients compared with controls and seropositive persons. Chronic HCV infection is associated with elevated circulating Tregs and activated CD8+ T cells. During IFN‐α‐based therapy these cells gradually increase, whereas TGF‐β serum levels decrease.

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