Faculty Collaboration Database

CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Activation in Children with Hepatitis C. J Pediatr 2016 Mar;170:142-8.e1

Date

01/09/2016

Pubmed ID

26743497

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4833455

DOI

10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.11.055

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84960075342 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   9 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess if peripheral T cell populations in children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection would show evidence of activation/exhaustion and an attenuated functional response.

STUDY DESIGN: Compared with adults, children with HCV infection have a higher rate of spontaneous viral clearance. In adults, chronic HCV has been linked to T cell exhaustion. Little is known of the immune status of children with HCV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 16 children with HCV (6 males, 10 females; mean age 8.6 years, range 2-17), 16 age- and sex-matched control children without HCV infection, and 20 adults with chronic HCV. Multiparameter flow cytometry was performed to characterize T cell differences across the 3 groups.

RESULTS: Controls and children with HCV had similar levels of CD4(+), CD8(+), and γδ(+) T cells. Children with HCV demonstrated a decrease in naïve T cells compared with control children and increased activation/exhaustion marker expression on both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. Transcription factor analysis suggested functional activation of T cells in children with HCV; however, only the CD4(+) subset had enhanced cytokine production (interferon gamma and interleukin-2) compared with control children.

CONCLUSIONS: The HCV response in children is characterized by several changes in T cell phenotype. Many of these changes, such as increased T cell expression of programmed cell death-1, are similar to responses in adults. Of note, cytokine production by CD4(+) helper T cells is increased in children with HCV compared with age- and sex-matched control children, which may influence long-term prognosis in children with HCV.

Author List

Sheiko MA, Golden-Mason L, Giugliano S, Hurtado CW, Mack CL, Narkewicz MR, Rosen HR

Author

Cara Lynn Mack MD Chief, Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Case-Control Studies
Cells, Cultured
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Flow Cytometry
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Humans
Interferon-gamma
Interleukin-2
Lymphocyte Activation
Male
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
Receptors, Immunologic
T-Box Domain Proteins