|
1
|
He J, Miao R, Chen Y, Wang H, Liu M. The dual role of regulatory T cells in hepatitis B virus infection and related hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunology 2024; 171:445-463. [PMID: 38093705 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major etiologic factor leading to HCC. While there have been significant advancements in controlling HBV replication, achieving a complete cure for HBV-related HCC (HBV-HCC) remains an intricate challenge. HBV persistence is attributed to a myriad of mechanisms, encompassing both innate and adaptive immune responses. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are pivotal in upholding immune tolerance and modulating excessive immune activation. During HBV infection, Tregs mediate specific T cell suppression, thereby contributing to both persistent infection and the mitigation of liver inflammatory responses. Studies have demonstrated an augmented expression of circulating and intrahepatic Tregs in HBV-HCC, which correlates with impaired CD8+ T cell function. Consequently, Tregs play a dual role in the context of HBV infection and the progression of HBV-HCC. In this comprehensive review, we discuss pertinent studies concerning Tregs in HBV infection, HBV-related cirrhosis and HCC. Furthermore, we summarize Treg responses to antiviral therapy and provide Treg-targeted therapies specific to HBV and HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinan He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Miao
- Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Northeast Yunnan Regional Central Hospital, Zhaotong, Yunan, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Bekbolsynov D, Waack A, Buskey C, Bhadkamkar S, Rengel K, Petersen W, Brown ML, Sparkle T, Kaw D, Syed FJ, Chattopadhyay S, Chakravarti R, Khuder S, Mierzejewska B, Rees M, Stepkowski S. Differences in Responses of Immunosuppressed Kidney Transplant Patients to Moderna mRNA-1273 versus Pfizer-BioNTech. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:91. [PMID: 38250904 PMCID: PMC10819652 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppressed kidney transplant (KT) recipients produce a weaker response to COVID-19 vaccination than immunocompetent individuals. We tested antiviral IgG response in 99 KT recipients and 66 healthy volunteers who were vaccinated with mRNA-1273 Moderna or BNT162b2 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. A subgroup of participants had their peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) evaluated for the frequency of T helper 1 (Th1) cells producing IL-2, IFN-γ and/or TNF-α, and IL-10-producing T-regulatory 1 (Tr) cells. Among KT recipients, 45.8% had anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG compared to 74.1% of healthy volunteers (p = 0.009); also, anti-viral IgG levels were lower in recipients than in volunteers (p = 0.001). In terms of non-responders (≤2000 U/mL IgG), Moderna's group had 10.8% and Pfizer-BioNTech's group had 34.3% of non-responders at 6 months (p = 0.023); similarly, 15.7% and 31.3% were non-responders in Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech groups at 12 months, respectively (p = 0.067). There were no non-responders among controls. Healthy volunteers had higher Th1 levels than KT recipients, while Moderna produced a higher Th1 response than Pfizer-BioNTech. In contrast, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine induced a higher Tr1 response than the Moderna vaccine (p < 0.05); overall, IgG levels correlated with Th1(fTTNF-α)/Tr1(fTIL-10) ratios. We propose that the higher number of non-responders in the Pfizer-BioNTech group than the Moderna group was caused by a more potent activity of regulatory Tr1 cells in KT recipients vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dulat Bekbolsynov
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Andrew Waack
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Camryn Buskey
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Shalmali Bhadkamkar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Keegan Rengel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Winnifer Petersen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Mary Lee Brown
- Department of Urology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Tanaya Sparkle
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Dinkar Kaw
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Fayeq Jeelani Syed
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Saurabh Chattopadhyay
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Ritu Chakravarti
- Department of Physiology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Sadik Khuder
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Beata Mierzejewska
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Michael Rees
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
- Department of Urology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Stanislaw Stepkowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.B.); (A.W.); (C.B.); (S.B.); (K.R.); (W.P.); (S.C.); (B.M.); (M.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Zheng P, Dou Y, Wang Q. Immune response and treatment targets of chronic hepatitis B virus infection: innate and adaptive immunity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1206720. [PMID: 37424786 PMCID: PMC10324618 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1206720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global public health risk that threatens human life and health, although the number of vaccinated people has increased. The clinical outcome of HBV infection depends on the complex interplay between viral replication and the host immune response. Innate immunity plays an important role in the early stages of the disease but retains no long-term immune memory. However, HBV evades detection by the host innate immune system through stealth. Therefore, adaptive immunity involving T and B cells is crucial for controlling and clearing HBV infections that lead to liver inflammation and damage. The persistence of HBV leads to immune tolerance owing to immune cell dysfunction, T cell exhaustion, and an increase in suppressor cells and cytokines. Although significant progress has been made in HBV treatment in recent years, the balance between immune tolerance, immune activation, inflammation, and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B remains unknown, making a functional cure difficult to achieve. Therefore, this review focuses on the important cells involved in the innate and adaptive immunity of chronic hepatitis B that target the host immune system and identifies treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peiyu Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Graduate School of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yongqing Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qinying Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| |
Collapse
|