Inhibition of viral replication reduces regulatory T cells and enhances the antiviral immune response in chronic hepatitis B

Journal Article · Wed Apr 25 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Virology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2006.11.018· OSTI ID:20977017

Stoop, Jeroen N ^[1]; Kuipers, Ernst J ^[1]; Kusters, Johannes G ^[1]; Janssen, Harry L.A. ^[1]

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1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, Room Ca 326, 3015 CE Rotterdam (Netherlands)

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in the impaired immune response that is typical for a chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To gain more insight in the mechanism that is responsible for this impaired immune response, the effect of viral load reduction resulting from treatment with the nucleotide analogue adefovir dipivoxil on the percentages of Treg and HBV-specific T-cell responses was analyzed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 12 patients were collected at baseline and during treatment. In parallel to the decline in viral load, we found a decline in circulating Treg, combined with an increase in HBV core antigen-specific IFN-{gamma} production and proliferation. The production of IL10 did not decrease during therapy. In conclusion, adefovir induced viral load reduction results in a decline of circulating Treg together with a partial recovery of the immune response.

• OSTI ID: 20977017
• Journal Information: Virology, Journal Name: Virology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 361; ISSN VIRLAX; ISSN 0042-6822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANTIGENS
BLOOD
HEPATITIS
IMMUNITY
INHIBITION
NUCLEOTIDES
PATIENTS
THERAPY
VIRUSES