Author(s): Yang Zhang, Hui Cao, Shan-Zhong Tan, Wei Zhao, Jian-Jun Shen, Qian Xiao, Shu-Lian Jiang, Chong-Feng Liang, Wei-Wei Sun
This study aims to investigate the changes and significance of the peripheral blood T lymphocytes for patients with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) related acute-on-chronic liver failure. 50 patients with HBV related acute-on-chronic liver failure (liver failure group), 50 patients with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB group), and 20 healthy persons taking physical examination in the corresponding period (healthy control group) were selected to determine the proportions of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Compared with healthy control group, the proportions of peripheral blood CD3+, CD8+ T lymphocytes and CD4+CD25+ Tregs significantly decreased in liver failure group, while the proportion of CD4+CD25+ Tregs significantly increased in CHB group. Taken together, these data suggest that the changes in peripheral blood T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes and CD4+CD25+ Tregs are involved in HBV related acute-on-chronic liver failure.