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Peripheral T regulatory cells and cytokines in hepatitis E infection

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Abstract

This study addresses the involvement of regulatory T cells in hepatitis E (HE) infection. The study population comprised 77 acute viral HE patients, 52 recovered individuals (overall, 129 individuals with HE) and 53 healthy controls. Peripheral CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ frequencies by flow cytometry and HE-specific cytokines/chemokines quantitation were carried out. The median percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells in acute patients were significantly higher compared to controls and recovered individuals. Both of the T regulatory (Treg) subset populations in overall HE were significantly elevated compared to controls. Comparisons of cytokines/chemokines revealed that the levels of IL-10 were elevated in: (a) acute viral hepatitis E (AVH-E) versus recovered individuals and controls, and (b) HE versus controls. Overall, the elevation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ frequencies and the rise in IL-10 suggest that Treg cells might be playing a pivotal role in hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection.

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Abbreviations

HEV:

Hepatitis E virus

HE:

Hepatitis E

AVH:

Acute viral hepatitis

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

HAV:

Hepatitis A virus

HBsAg:

Hepatitis B surface antigen

HCV:

Hepatitis C virus

Treg:

T regulatory

PBMC:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell

Foxp3:

Forkhead box protein 3

CMV:

Cytomegalovirus

EBV:

Epstein–Barr virus

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

HTLV:

Human T-lymphotropic virus

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Director of the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for all the encouragement given. Special thanks are due to Mr. Babbar, Mr. Tilekar, Mr. Jawalkar, Miss Thorat, Mr. Vaidya and Mr. Sukhare for their excellent technical help. Statistical assistance by Mr. Walimbe is gratefully acknowledged. This study was funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hepatitis Group, National Institute of Virology, 130/1, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra, 411021, India

    A. S. Tripathy, R. Das, S. B. Rathod & V. A. Arankalle

  2. Outbreak Response Group, National Institute of Virology, Pune, India

    Y. K. Gurav

Authors
  1. A. S. Tripathy
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  2. R. Das
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  3. S. B. Rathod
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  4. Y. K. Gurav
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  5. V. A. Arankalle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. S. Tripathy.

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Rumki Das and Sanjay B Rathod have contributed equally to this paper.

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Tripathy, A.S., Das, R., Rathod, S.B. et al. Peripheral T regulatory cells and cytokines in hepatitis E infection. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 179–184 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1291-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1291-1

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