Open Access

Changes of Th17/Treg ratio in the transition of chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis and correlations with liver function and inflammation

  • Authors:
    • Haijuan Mou
    • Song Wu
    • Guang Zhao
    • Jindong Wang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 22, 2019     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.7299
  • Pages: 2963-2968
  • Copyright: © Mou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The changes in ratio of T helper 17 cells (Th17) to Treg cells in the transition of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to liver cirrhosis, and the correlations with liver function and inflammation were investigated. A total of 20 normal subjects (control group), 35 CHB patients (CHB group) and 40 post‑hepatitis liver cirrhosis patients (liver cirrhosis group) were enrolled into this study. Liver function was measured through the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartic transaminase (AST), and the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining method was used to detect the histopathological features. mRNA expression of inflammation‑associated factors was detected using RT‑PCR. The protein expression of nuclear factor κB (NF‑κB) was measured in liver tissues using the immunofluorescent method and western blot assay. In the CHB and liver cirrhosis groups, the increases in Th17 cells were more evident than those in Treg cells. Moreover, an evident increase in levels of ALT and AST was identified in the two groups. Structures of liver tissues in the CHB and liver cirrhosis groups were destroyed with damage to the cell nuclei. The expression of inflammation‑associated factors were significantly elevated compared to those in the control group. NF‑κB expressed in the CHB and liver cirrhosis groups was significantly higher than that in control group. The results of analysis of variance indicated that differences in the expression of interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α and NF‑κB in the three groups had statistical significance (P<0.01). In conclusion, transition from CHB to liver cirrhosis comes with significant changes in Th17/Treg ratio, which is correlated with a decrease in liver function, and also closely associated with the development and progression of inflammation.
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April-2019
Volume 17 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Mou H, Wu S, Zhao G and Wang J: Changes of Th17/Treg ratio in the transition of chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis and correlations with liver function and inflammation. Exp Ther Med 17: 2963-2968, 2019
APA
Mou, H., Wu, S., Zhao, G., & Wang, J. (2019). Changes of Th17/Treg ratio in the transition of chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis and correlations with liver function and inflammation. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 17, 2963-2968. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.7299
MLA
Mou, H., Wu, S., Zhao, G., Wang, J."Changes of Th17/Treg ratio in the transition of chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis and correlations with liver function and inflammation". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 17.4 (2019): 2963-2968.
Chicago
Mou, H., Wu, S., Zhao, G., Wang, J."Changes of Th17/Treg ratio in the transition of chronic hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis and correlations with liver function and inflammation". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 17, no. 4 (2019): 2963-2968. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.7299