1
|
Cooksley H, Riva A, Katzarov K, Hadzhiolova-Lebeau T, Pavlova S, Simonova M, Williams R, Chokshi S. Differential Expression of Immune Inhibitory Checkpoint Signatures on Antiviral and Inflammatory T Cell Populations in Chronic Hepatitis B. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2019; 38:273-282. [PMID: 30016182 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2017.0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-specific T cells are critical in mediating the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Interferon gamma (IFNγ)-producing T cells are associated with resolution; in contrast, interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing T cells are linked to exacerbation of liver inflammation and injury. Checkpoint receptors stringently regulate T cell functions, with their expression profiles varying on different T cell subsets. Blockade of checkpoint receptors may be an effective therapeutic strategy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB); however, blockade may also inadvertently exacerbate proinflammatory responses. In this study, we sought to determine the balance of inflammatory and antiviral T cells and determine their inhibitory receptor profile. The frequency of total and HBV antigen-specific Th17 and Tc17 cells was higher in CHB patients compared with healthy controls (HCs). Th17 and Tc17 cells in CHB patients had significantly lower expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein-3 (TIM-3) compared with HCs, with no difference in programmed death-1 (PD-1) or CD244 expression. Conversely, Th1 and Tc1 cells in CHB patients hyperexpressed PD-1 and CD244, while TIM-3 expression was comparable in both cohorts. During CHB, antiviral IFNγ T cells hyperexpress multiple immune inhibitory receptors driving their functional impairment. In contrast, inflammatory Th17/Tc17 cells hypoexpress TIM-3, but not PD-1 or CD244. Checkpoint inhibitors for CHB should target PD-1 or CD244 to allow restoration of IFNγ responses without affecting inflammatory IL-17 production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Cooksley
- 1 Liver Immunology, Institute of Hepatology , Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom .,2 Life Sciences and Medicine, Kings College London, Kings College Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Riva
- 1 Liver Immunology, Institute of Hepatology , Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom .,2 Life Sciences and Medicine, Kings College London, Kings College Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Krum Katzarov
- 3 Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Slava Pavlova
- 3 Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Marieta Simonova
- 3 Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Roger Williams
- 1 Liver Immunology, Institute of Hepatology , Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom .,2 Life Sciences and Medicine, Kings College London, Kings College Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Shilpa Chokshi
- 1 Liver Immunology, Institute of Hepatology , Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom .,2 Life Sciences and Medicine, Kings College London, Kings College Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|