Sheiko MA, Golden-Mason L, Giugliano S, Hurtado CW, Mack CL, Narkewicz MR, Rosen HR. CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Activation in Children with Hepatitis C.
J Pediatr 2016;
170:142-8.e1. [PMID:
26743497 PMCID:
PMC4833455 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.11.055]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To assess if peripheral T cell populations in children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection would show evidence of activation/exhaustion and an attenuated functional response.
STUDY DESIGN
Compared with adults, children with HCV infection have a higher rate of spontaneous viral clearance. In adults, chronic HCV has been linked to T cell exhaustion. Little is known of the immune status of children with HCV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 16 children with HCV (6 males, 10 females; mean age 8.6 years, range 2-17), 16 age- and sex-matched control children without HCV infection, and 20 adults with chronic HCV. Multiparameter flow cytometry was performed to characterize T cell differences across the 3 groups.
RESULTS
Controls and children with HCV had similar levels of CD4(+), CD8(+), and γδ(+) T cells. Children with HCV demonstrated a decrease in naïve T cells compared with control children and increased activation/exhaustion marker expression on both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. Transcription factor analysis suggested functional activation of T cells in children with HCV; however, only the CD4(+) subset had enhanced cytokine production (interferon gamma and interleukin-2) compared with control children.
CONCLUSIONS
The HCV response in children is characterized by several changes in T cell phenotype. Many of these changes, such as increased T cell expression of programmed cell death-1, are similar to responses in adults. Of note, cytokine production by CD4(+) helper T cells is increased in children with HCV compared with age- and sex-matched control children, which may influence long-term prognosis in children with HCV.
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