BACKGROUND/AIMS: Association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with increased autoantibodies, mixed cryoglobulinaemia, non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma and increased peripheral innate (CD5(pos)) B cells suggests a role for B-lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of HCV-infection. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to estimate CD5(pos) B cell levels and CD81 co-expression in chronic HCV infection. Viral load was assessed using PCR. RESULTS: We demonstrate expansion of innate B cells in HCV-infected liver from patients with fibrosis score less than stage II (39%, % of total B cells, P=0.002) and end stage HCV cirrhosis (20%, P<0.05) compared with normal liver (8%). Expression of CD81, a signal transducing molecule and putative HCV receptor, was significantly increased on peripheral blood CD5(pos) B cells compared with conventional B cells (P=0.0001). Higher levels of CD81 on CD5(pos) B cells were more dramatic in the liver of HCV-infected individuals. However, no significant difference was observed in the viral load of CD5(pos)CD81(High) B cells and CD5(neg)CD81(Low) B cells. CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression of CD81 on innate B cells, a population that is expanded in the livers and peripheral blood of chronic HCV-infected patients, suggests a role in viral specific activation and clonal proliferation in chronic HCV infection.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with increased autoantibodies, mixed cryoglobulinaemia, non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma and increased peripheral innate (CD5(pos)) B cells suggests a role for B-lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of HCV-infection. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to estimate CD5(pos) B cell levels and CD81 co-expression in chronic HCV infection. Viral load was assessed using PCR. RESULTS: We demonstrate expansion of innate B cells in HCV-infected liver from patients with fibrosis score less than stage II (39%, % of total B cells, P=0.002) and end stage HCV cirrhosis (20%, P<0.05) compared with normal liver (8%). Expression of CD81, a signal transducing molecule and putative HCV receptor, was significantly increased on peripheral blood CD5(pos) B cells compared with conventional B cells (P=0.0001). Higher levels of CD81 on CD5(pos) B cells were more dramatic in the liver of HCV-infected individuals. However, no significant difference was observed in the viral load of CD5(pos)CD81(High) B cells and CD5(neg)CD81(Low) B cells. CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression of CD81 on innate B cells, a population that is expanded in the livers and peripheral blood of chronic HCV-infectedpatients, suggests a role in viral specific activation and clonal proliferation in chronic HCV infection.
Authors: L Meroni; L Milazzo; B Menzaghi; R Mazzucchelli; D Mologni; P Morelli; V Broggini; F Adorni; M Galli; A Riva Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Gui-Qin Bai; Jun Cheng; Shu-Lin Zhang; Yan-Ping Huang; Lin Wang; Yan Liu; Shu-Mei Lin Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-07-07 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Qinglong Jin; Yuki Moritoki; Ana Lleo; Koichi Tsuneyama; Pietro Invernizzi; Hitoshi Moritoki; Kentaro Kikuchi; Zhe-Xiong Lian; Gideon M Hirschfield; Aftab A Ansari; Ross L Coppel; M Eric Gershwin; Junqi Niu Journal: Hepatology Date: 2012-04-04 Impact factor: 17.425
Authors: Jeff Hosry; Roberto N Miranda; Felipe Samaniego; Minas P Economides; Harrys A Torres Journal: Int J Cancer Date: 2017-11-03 Impact factor: 7.396
Authors: Edgar D Charles; Rashidah M Green; Svetlana Marukian; Andrew H Talal; Gerond V Lake-Bakaar; Ira M Jacobson; Charles M Rice; Lynn B Dustin Journal: Blood Date: 2007-10-17 Impact factor: 22.113