Effects Of Antiviral Therapy With Telbivudine On Peripheral INKT Cells In HBeAg(+) Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Objective: To study the frequency, functions, and PD-1 expression of peripheral iNKT cells in chronic hepatitis B patients; and the effects of antiviral therapy with Telbivudine on the frequency, functions, and PD-1 expression of peripheral iNKT cells in chronic hepatitis B patients.Methods: HBeAg(+)Chronic hepatitis B patients receiving antiviral therapy with Telbivudine were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood samples were obtained at 0, 12, 24 weeks after informed consent from all patients. The frequencies and PD-1 expression of peripheral iNKT cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) after labeled with anti-CD3,TCR Vα24,TCR Vβ11 and CD279 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies; Intracellular IFN-γand IL-4 production by iNKT cells was analyzed on flow cytometer after in vitro activation with PMA and Ionomycin.Results: The frequencies of peripheral iNKT cells from HBeAg(+) chronic hepatitis B patients were comparable to that from healthy donors, with an impaired capability of IFN-γ(especially significant) and IL-4 secretion after in vitro activation. And it was noteworthy that the PD-1 expression on peripheral iNKT cells significantly increased. Antiviral therapy with Telbivudine, to some extent, contributed to the recovery of cytokines production and PD-1 expression of peripheral iNKT cells in the HBeAg(+)chronic hepatitis B patients.Conclusion: Peripheral iNKT cells in HBeAg(+) chronic hepatitis B patients are in a hyporesponssive state, which to some extent result in the lack of effective innate and adaptive immune responses against HBV infection. The increased PD-1 expression may serve as a factor contributing to the impaired function of peripheral iNKT cells in HBeAg(+)chronic hepatitis B patients. Antiviral therapy with Telbivudine to some extent contributed to the recovery of functions and PD-1 expression of peripheral iNKT cells in HBeAg(+)chronic hepatitis B patients.