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Sun R, Li J, Lin X, Yang Y, Liu B, Lan T, Xiao S, Deng A, Yin Z, Xu Y, Xiang Z, Wu B. Peripheral immune characteristics of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1079495. [PMID: 37077908 PMCID: PMC10106696 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1079495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundLiver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. As a chronic liver disease, many studies have shown that the immune response plays a key role in the progression of liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the high-risk factors for HCC, accounting for 50%–80% of HCC cases worldwide, and little is known about the immune status of HBV associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC), therefore, we aimed to explore the changes in peripheral immunity in patients with HBV-HCC.MethodsIn this study, patients with HBV-HCC (n=26), patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (HBV-LC) (n=31) and healthy volunteers (n=49) were included. The lymphocytes and their subpopulation phenotypes in peripheral blood were characterized. In addition, we explored the effect of viral replication on peripheral immunity in patients with HCC and analyzed the circulating immunophenotypic characteristics at different stages of HCC with flow cytometry.ResultsFirstly, our results showed that the percentages of total αβ T cells in the peripheral blood of HBV-HCC patients was significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects. Secondly, we found that naïve CD4+ T cells in HBV-HCC patients were significantly reduced, terminally differentiated CD8+ T cells, homing memory CD8+ T cells and Th2 cells were increased in peripheral circulation in HBV-HCC patients. Moreover, in the peripheral blood of HBV-HCC patients, expression of TIGIT on CD4+ T cells and PD-1 on the surface of Vδ 1 T cells was increased. In addition, we found that sustained viral replication resulted in up-regulation of TIM3 expression on CD4+ T cells, and TIM3+ γδ T cells increased in peripheral circulation in patients with advanced HBV-HCC.ConclusionOur study showed that circulating lymphocytes in HBV-HCC patients exhibited features of immune exhaustion, especially in HCC patients with persistent viral replication and in patients with intermediate and advanced HBV-HCC, including decreased frequency of T cells and elevated expression of inhibitory receptors including TIGIT and TIM3 on CD4+ T cells and γδ T cells. Meanwhile, our research suggests that the combination of CD3+ T cell and CD8+HLADR+CD38+ T cell may be a potential diagnostic indicator for HBV-HCC. These findings could help us to better understand the immune characteristics of HBV-HCC and explore the immune mechanisms and immunotherapy strategies for HBV-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianyi Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yidong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Interventional Medicine, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianbi Lan
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), Dongguan, China
| | - Shuang Xiao
- Guangzhou Purui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Anyi Deng
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhinan Yin
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Xu
- The Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Wu, ; Zheng Xiang, ; Yan Xu,
| | - Zheng Xiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Health Science Center (School of Medicine), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Wu, ; Zheng Xiang, ; Yan Xu,
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Wu, ; Zheng Xiang, ; Yan Xu,
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2
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Moreira H, Dobosz A, Cwynar-Zając Ł, Nowak P, Czyżewski M, Barg M, Reichert P, Królikowska A, Barg E. Unraveling the role of Breg cells in digestive tract cancer and infectious immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:981847. [PMID: 36618354 PMCID: PMC9816437 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.981847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, regulatory B cells (Breg cells or Bregs) have emerged as an immunosuppressive subset of B lymphocytes playing a key role in inflammation, infection, allergy, transplantation, and cancer. However, the involvement of Bregs in various pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract is not fully understood and is the subject of much recent research. In this review, we aimed to summarize the current state of knowledge about the origin, phenotype, and suppressive mechanisms of Bregs. The relationship between the host gut microbiota and the function of Bregs in the context of the disturbance of mucosal immune homeostasis is also discussed. Moreover, we focused our attention on the role of Bregs in certain diseases and pathological conditions related to the digestive tract, especially Helicobacter pylori infection, parasitic diseases (leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis), and gastrointestinal neoplasms. Increasing evidence points to a relationship between the presence and number of Bregs and the severity and progression of these pathologies. As the number of cases is increasing year by year, also among young people, it is extremely important to understand the role of these cells in the digestive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Moreira
- Department of Medical Sciences Foundation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland,*Correspondence: Helena Moreira, ; Agnieszka Dobosz,
| | - Agnieszka Dobosz
- Department of Medical Sciences Foundation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland,*Correspondence: Helena Moreira, ; Agnieszka Dobosz,
| | - Łucja Cwynar-Zając
- Department of Medical Sciences Foundation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Nowak
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Czyżewski
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marta Barg
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Reichert
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Clinical Department of Trauma and Hand Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Królikowska
- Ergonomics and Biomedical Monitoring Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Barg
- Department of Medical Sciences Foundation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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3
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Impact of interleukin IL-6 rs-1474347 and IL-10 rs-1800896 genetic polymorphisms on the susceptibility of HCV-infected Egyptian patients to hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunol Res 2021; 68:118-125. [PMID: 32504406 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-020-09126-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to examine the association of IL-6 and IL-10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms with the progression of chronic HCV (CHC) infection to cirrhosis and HCC. For comparative purposes, four groups were enrolled; chronic HCV group (CHC, n = 22), HCV-related liver cirrhosis group (HCV-LC, n = 22), HCV-related HCC group (HCV-HCC, n = 54), and an apparently healthy control group (controls, n = 48). HCC diagnosis and staging were in concordance to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. IL-6 rs-1474347 and IL-10 rs-1800896 genotyping was performed by allelic (VIC- and FAM-labeled) discrimination method using assay-on-demand TaqMan real-time PCR assays. For IL-6 rs1474347, the AA genotype was more frequent in CHC, HCV-LC, and HCV-HCC compared to controls. Also, the IL-6 rs1474347 AC genotype was favorable for the progression of HCV chronic infection to cirrhosis and HCC. On the other hand, the IL-10 rs1800896 TT genotype was found to be prominent in the HCC group. Additionally, the IL-10 rs180096 TT genotype was favorable for the progression of chronic HCV infection to cirrhosis and HCC. Furthermore, higher levels of AFP were observed in HCC patients with IL-6 rs1474347 AA genotype and HCC patients with IL-10 rs1800896 CC and TT genotypes. Screening for IL-6 rs 1474347 AC genotype and IL-10 rs180096 TT genotype as well as the determination of AFP level showed to be good markers for examining the susceptibility of HCV Egyptian patients to develop cirrhosis and HCC.
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4
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Hetta HF, Mohamed AAA, Zahran AM, A Mahran S, MY Sayed M, GA Saleh M, Abdelazeem K, Batiha GES, Al-Rejaie S, Waheed Y, Muhammad K, M Hassanien M. Possible Role of Regulatory B Cells in Different Behçet's Disease Phenotypes and Therapies: First Report from Egypt. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:737-744. [PMID: 33727848 PMCID: PMC7955029 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s279912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The data about the role of regulatory B cells (Breg) in Behcet Disease (BD) are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of total B lymphocytes and Breg cells in different BD phenotypes and therapies attempting to unravel their function. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 35 BD patients and 39 healthy controls (HCs). The demographic data of the study subjects were collected including age and gender. Current medications including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were recorded. All patients underwent testing for baseline laboratory investigations including full blood count, liver and kidney function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by Westergren blot and C-reactive protein (CRP). Measurement of the total B lymphocytes and their subtypes B regulatory lymphocytes by flow cytometric assay. Assessment of BD activity was done using the revised Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) 2006 and Behçet's Syndrome Activity Score (BSAS) 1111111111. All participants were assessed for the presence of erectile dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5 score), and for depression using the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS A dramatic drop in the number of B cells, total and regulatory, was observed in the patients compared to the HCs. Regulatory cells (Bregs) tend to be upregulated with genital ulcers or vascular disease. Bregs but not B lymphocytes were associated with BSAS and ESR. Neither the total B lymphocytes nor the Bregs correlated with CRP or the sexual function or depression scores. Of all the used medications, low-dose aspirin was seen with markedly high Bregs proportions. CONCLUSION This study supports the role of B cells in BD pathogenesis and strongly suggests a possible role for Bregs in the resolution of different BD manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helal F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Correspondence: Helal F Hetta Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt Email
| | - Alaa A A Mohamed
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M Zahran
- Clinical Pathology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Safaa A Mahran
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Marwa MY Sayed
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed GA Saleh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Khaled Abdelazeem
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicines, Damanhour University, Damanhur, 22511, Egypt
| | - Salim Al-Rejaie
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Muhammad
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Manal M Hassanien
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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Abouelezz K, Khanapara D, Batiha GES, Ahmed EA, Hetta HF. Cytotoxic Chemotherapy as an Alternative for Systemic Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Developing Countries. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:12239-12248. [PMID: 33273860 PMCID: PMC7707432 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s280631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic therapy options nowadays for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are either immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors or targeted therapy. As the incidence of liver cancer is much higher in developing countries, these new medications are not readily accessible for most of the patients. Cytotoxic chemotherapy agents are more available and affordable in developing countries. We are trying to explore the effectiveness of the newer cytotoxic agents in the systematic treatment for advanced HCC. This is a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials since 1997 that utilized systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy agents in the systemic treatment for advanced HCC using Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane library up to February 2020. Six randomized trials were found. Different drugs and dosages were used, so it was statistically inappropriate to conduct a meta-analysis. No Phase III trial showed statistically significant overall survival (OS) benefit for cytotoxic chemotherapy, except subgroup analysis of Chinese patients in one study who had leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) regimen. There was no significant progression-free survival (PFS) or response rate in the Phase II trials. There are not enough data to infer the actual benefits of systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy in advanced HCC. However, oxaliplatin-based regimens may give feasible results. Health systems with limited access to targeted therapy and immunotherapy agents may use oxaliplatin-based regimens in clinical trials for advanced HCC. These results should be confirmed in multiple future randomized clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Abouelezz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Dipen Khanapara
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicines, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, Egypt
| | - Esraa A Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.,Centre of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
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Abdelwahab FA, Hassanein KM, Hetta HF, Abdelmalek MO, Zahran AM, El-Badawy O. Impact of deranged B cell subsets distribution in the development of HCV-related cirrhosis and HCC in type two diabetes mellitus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20383. [PMID: 33230233 PMCID: PMC7683559 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77416-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II diabetes (T2D) may worsen the course of hepatitis C virus infection with a greater risk of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In chronic viral infections, the deranged B cell subset signifies uncontrolled disease. The study aimed to verify the relation between B cell subsets' distribution and liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with T2D. A total of 67 CHC patients were divided into two groups; 33 non-diabetic and 34 with T2D. Each group was subdivided into CHC-without LC or HCC (N-CHC), CHC-with LC (CHC-LC), and CHC-with HCC (CHC-HCC). Twenty-seven healthy individuals also participated as controls. Flow cytometry was used to analyze CD19+ B cell subsets based on the expression of CD24 and CD38. CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Immature/transitional B cells elevated in diabetic than non-diabetic patients. In diabetic patients, while CD19+CD24+CD38- primarily memory B cells were higher in CHC-N and CHC-HCC groups than LC with a good predictive accuracy of LC, the opposite was observed for CD19+CD24-CD38- new memory B cells. Only in diabetic patients, the CD19+CD24intCD38int naïve mature B cells were high in CHC-HCC patients with good prognostic accuracy of HCC. Merely in diabetic patients, several correlations were observed between B cell subsets and liver function. Immature/transitional B cells increase remarkably in diabetic CHCpatients and might have a role in liver disease progression. Memory and Naïve B cells are good potential predictors of LC and HCCin diabetic CHCpatients, respectively. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of the CD19+CD24-CD38- new memory B cells in disease progression in CHC patients.
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MESH Headings
- ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1/genetics
- ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1/immunology
- Adult
- Aged
- Antigens, CD19/genetics
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/classification
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/virology
- CD24 Antigen/genetics
- CD24 Antigen/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Case-Control Studies
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Hepacivirus/growth & development
- Hepacivirus/pathogenicity
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/pathology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Immunologic Memory
- Immunophenotyping
- Liver Cirrhosis/etiology
- Liver Cirrhosis/immunology
- Liver Cirrhosis/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis/virology
- Liver Neoplasms/etiology
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Male
- Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics
- Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology
- Middle Aged
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khaled M Hassanein
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0595, USA
| | - Mohamed O Abdelmalek
- Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M Zahran
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Omnia El-Badawy
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt.
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Regulatory B Cells and Their Cytokine Profile in HCV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Association with Regulatory T Cells and Disease Progression. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030380. [PMID: 32664587 PMCID: PMC7565874 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although regulatory B cells (Bregs) have been proven to play a suppressive role in autoimmune diseases, infections and different tumors, little is known regarding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in hepatitis C-related settings. Herein, we analyzed the frequency of circulating Bregs, serum levels of IL-10, IL-35 and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and investigated their association with regulatory T cells (Tregs) and disease progression in HCV-related HCC. For comparative purposes, four groups were enrolled; chronic HCV (CHC group, n = 35), HCV-related liver cirrhosis (HCV-LC group, n = 35), HCV-related HCC (HCV-HCC group, n = 60) and an apparently healthy control (Control-group, n = 20). HCC diagnosis and staging were in concordance with the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. Analysis of the percentage of Breg cells and peripheral lymphocyte subsets (Treg) was performed by flow cytometry. Serum cytokine levels of IL-10, IL-35 and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) were measured by ELISA. The frequency of Bregs was significantly higher in the HCV-HCC group compared to the other groups and controls. A significant increase was noted in late-HCC versus those in the early stages. The frequency of Bregs was positively correlated with Tregs, serum IL-10, IL-35 and BAFF. In conclusion, Peripheral Bregs were positively correlated with the frequency of Tregs, IL-10, IL-35 and BAFF, and may be associated with HCV-related HCC progression.
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Zahran AM, Hetta HF, Rayan A, Eldin AS, Hassan EA, Fakhry H, Soliman A, El-Badawy O. Differential expression of Tim-3, PD-1, and CCR5 on peripheral T and B lymphocytes in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma and their impact on treatment outcomes. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1253-1263. [PMID: 32170378 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02465-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Activation of the immune checkpoints and expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors have been reported to promote HCC progression. This study aimed to assess the differential expression of Tim-3, PD-1, and CCR5 on peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with HCV-related HCC and correlate their expression with the treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study incorporated 40 patients with chronic HCV-related HCC and 40 healthy controls. Patients were radiologically assessed for hepatic focal lesions and portal vein thrombosis. Response to HCC treatment and overall survival (OS) outcomes were determined. The expression of Tim-3, PD-1, and CCR5 among CD19+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Higher frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ cells expressing each of Tim-3 and PD-1 and PD-1+CD19+ cells were observed in the HCV-related HCC patients in comparison with controls. The highest expression of Tim-3 and PD-1 was by the CD8+ cells. Strong relations were detected among PD-1+CD19+, PD-1+CD4+ and PD-1+CD8+ cells. Elevated levels of PD-1+ lymphocytes were significantly associated with poor treatment response and shorter OS. CONCLUSION Modulation of the expression of immune checkpoints as Tim-3 and PD-1, and of CCR5 on T cells is somehow related to HCC. CD8+ T cells expressing PD-1 were the most relevant to HCC prognosis (OS and treatment response) and could represent a promising target for immune therapy against HCC. Future studies need to focus on exploring PD-1+ B cells and Tim-3+CD4+ cells, which seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa M Zahran
- Clinical Pathology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. .,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Amal Rayan
- Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Abeer Sharaf Eldin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Elham Ahmed Hassan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Hussein Fakhry
- Surgical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Soliman
- General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Omnia El-Badawy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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9
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Zahran AM, Zahran ZAM, El-Badawy O, Abdel-Rahim MH, Ali WAM, Rayan A, Abbas El-Masry M, Abozaid MAA, Hetta HF. Prognostic impact of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 expression on monocytes in Egyptian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunol Res 2020; 67:157-165. [PMID: 31028612 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-019-09075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have a role in chronic inflammation. Still, little is known about the expression of TLRs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we tried to assess the prognostic value of TLR2 and TLR4 expression on circulating monocytes in HCC patients and correlate their levels with some clinical, laboratory data, and treatment outcomes. Forty patients with hepatic focal lesions diagnosed radiologically as HCC by triphasic multislice CT pelviabdominal and chest, and in some patients MRI diffusion and 38 age and sex matching healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Subjects were evaluated for liver functions, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), imaging, response to different treatments, and overall survival. TLR2 and TLR4 expression by monocytes was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of both TLR2 and TLR4 on monocytes was significantly increased in HCC patients than the controls, in patients with more progressive HCC than those with lower progression and in patients with poor response to treatment than patients with better treatment response. Moreover, their levels showed positive correlations with ALT, AST, and AFP and inverse correlations with the overall survival of HCC patients. The results of the current study suggest that increased expression ofTLR2 and TLR4 on peripheral monocytes might reflect the development and progression of HCC and can be used to indicate poor prognosis. In addition, high expression of TLR2 correlated significantly with poor response to treatment, while high expression of both TLR2 and TLR4 were associated with poor survival. Our findings will help to design more studies on the role of TLRs in HCC pathogenesis and prognosis which may provide new therapeutic targets for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa M Zahran
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | | | - Omnia El-Badawy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mona H Abdel-Rahim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Wageeh A M Ali
- Departmentof Radiodiagnosis, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Amal Rayan
- Departmentof Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Muhammad Abbas El-Masry
- Department of internal Medicine, Division of gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A A Abozaid
- Department of internal Medicine, Division of gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. .,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0595, USA.
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10
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Zahran AM, Abdel-Rahim MH, Refaat A, Sayed M, Othman MM, Khalak LMR, Hetta HF. Circulating hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells and cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: contribution to diagnosis and prognosis. Acta Oncol 2020; 59:33-39. [PMID: 31478425 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2019.1657940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background and aim: Circulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to tumor development and progression and can predict patient outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of circulating HSCs, EPCs and CSCs in the peripheral blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explore their potential prognostic significance for HCC patients.Methods: The study included 30 HCC patients and 20 healthy controls. The HSCs and EPCs were enumerated with CD45, CD34, CD133, CD144 markers, while CSCs were enumerated with CD45, CD44, CD133 markers using flow cytometry.Results: The mean percentages of circulating HSCs were significantly lower in HCC patients than the controls (p = .001), whereas the mean percentages of EPCs within the HSCs subpopulation were significantly higher in the HCC patients than the controls (p = .002). The absolute count of CSCs within 100,000 peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 23.5 ± 3.4 in the HCC patients. Also, the mean percentages of circulating HSCs, EPCs and the number of CSCs were significantly increased in patients with multiple hepatic focal lesions than in patients with a single hepatic focal lesion. Both circulating HSCs and EPCs showed significant positive correlation with the level of AFP and with the numbers of CSCs. In the meantime, the numbers of CSCs revealed significant direct correlation with ALT, AST and AFP levels. The one-year overall survival (OS) of the patients was 77.5%. High levels of CSCs, HSCs and EPCs at diagnosis were all associated with worse outcome for the HCC patients.Conclusions: Significant changes in the levels of the circulating HSCs, EPCs and CSCs occur in HCC. These changes help the diagnosis and the prediction of HCC outcome, as higher levels of these cells are associated with worse OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa M. Zahran
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mona H. Abdel-Rahim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Refaat
- Medical Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mona Sayed
- Radiotherapy Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mostafa M. Othman
- Radiodiagnosis Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Lamiaa M. R. Khalak
- Radiodiagnosis Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Helal F. Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Li Y, Agrawal I, Gong Z. Reversion of tumor hepatocytes to normal hepatocytes during liver tumor regression in an oncogene-expressing transgenic zebrafish model. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm039578. [PMID: 31515263 PMCID: PMC6826027 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are frequently dependent on primary oncogenes to maintain their malignant properties (known as 'oncogene addiction'). We have previously established several inducible hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models in zebrafish by transgenic expression of an oncogene. These tumor models are strongly oncogene addicted, as the induced and histologically proven liver tumors regress after suppression of oncogene expression by removal of a chemical inducer. However, the question of whether the liver tumor cells are eliminated or revert to normal cells remains unanswered. In the present study, we generated a novel Cre/loxP transgenic zebrafish line, Tg(fabp10: loxP-EGFP-stop-loxP-DsRed; TRE: CreERT2) (abbreviated to CreER), in order to trace tumor cell lineage during tumor regression after crossing with the xmrk (activated EGFR homolog) oncogene transgenic line, Tg(fabp10: rtTA; TRE: xmrk; krt4: EGFP) We found that, during HCC regression, restored normal liver contained both reverted tumor hepatocytes (RFP+) and newly differentiated hepatocytes (GFP+). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of the RFP+ and GFP+ hepatocyte populations after tumor regression confirmed the conversion of tumor cells to normal hepatocytes, as most of the genes and pathways that were deregulated in the tumor stages were found to have normal regulation in the tumor-reverted hepatocytes. Thus, our lineage-tracing studies demonstrated the potential for transformed tumor cells to revert to normal cells after suppression of expression of a primary oncogene. This observation may provide a basis for the development of a therapeutic approach targeting addicted oncogenes or oncogenic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Ira Agrawal
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
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12
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Hetta HF, Zahran AM, Mansor SG, Abdel-Malek MO, Mekky MA, Abbas WA. Frequency and Implications of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and lymphocyte subsets in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. J Med Virol 2019; 91:1319-1328. [PMID: 30761547 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a pivotal role in tumor immunity and induction of immune tolerance to a variety of antitumor effectors, including T lymphocytes. Herein, we tried to evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of MDSCs and different lymphocyte subsets in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Four groups were enrolled; chronic HCV (CHC; n = 40), HCV-related liver cirrhosis (n = 40), HCV-related HCC (HCV-HCC; n = 75), and healthy control group (n = 20). The percentage of peripheral lymphocytes subsets and total MDSCs with their main two subsets; monocytic (M-MDSCs) and granulocytic (G-MDSCs) was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS The frequency of total MSDCs and M-MDSCs was significantly elevated in HCV-HCC especially patients with advanced stage HCC compared with those with early-stage HCC. The frequency of total MSDCs and M-MDSCs was positively correlated with ALT, AFP, and HCV viral load and negatively correlated with CD8+ T-cell frequency. CD4 + T cells were significantly decreased in HCV-HCC patients. The frequency of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells was negatively correlated with AFP and AST, but not with albumin or HCV viral load. CONCLUSION Taken together, our data suggest that MDSCs, M-MDSCs, and lymphocyte subsets are associated with the development and progression of HCV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helal F Hetta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M Zahran
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Shima G Mansor
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed O Abdel-Malek
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Mekky
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Wael A Abbas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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