Increased frequency of CD56Bright NK-cells, CD3⁻CD16⁺CD56⁻ NK-cells and activated CD4⁺T-cells or B-cells in parallel with CD4⁺CDC25High T-cells control potentially viremia in blood donors with HCV

• Published in: Journal of medical virology Vol. 81; no. 1; pp. 49 - 59
• Main Authors: Zarife, Maria Alice Sant'Anna, Reis, Eliana Almeida Gomes, Carmo, Theomira Mauadie Azevedo, Lopes, Gisele Barreto, Brandão, Emilia Carolina Malafaia, Silva, Helder Reis, Santana, Nelma, Martins-Filho, Olindo Assis, Reis, Mitermayer Galvão
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2009; Wiley
• Subjects: activated T and B-cells; Adult; Antigens, CD - analysis; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Donors; CD4+CD25High; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HCV; Hepacivirus - isolation & purification; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis C, Chronic - immunology; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Killer Cells, Natural - chemistry; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; NK and NKT cells; Viral diseases; Viral Load; Viremia - immunology; Virology; blood donors; CD4+CD25High; Viremia; B-Lymphocyte; activated T and B-cells; In vitro; Infection; Virus; Natural killer cell; NK and NKT cells; Viral disease; T-Lymphocyte; HCV; Flaviviridae; Hepatitis C virus; Hepacivirus; Blood donor
• ISSN: 0146-6615; 1096-9071
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21340

A detailed phenotypic analysis of major and minor circulating lymphocyte subsets is described in potential blood donors with markers of hepatitis C virus (HCV), including non-viremic and viremic groups. Although there were no changes in the hematological profile of either group, increased the levels of pre-NK cells (CD3⁻CD16⁺CD56⁻) and a lower frequency of mature NK cells (CD3⁻CD16⁺CD56⁺) characterized innate immunity in the non-viremic group. Both non-viremic and viremic groups displayed significantly increased levels of CD56Bright NK cells. Furthermore, this subset was significantly elevated in the viremic subgroup with a low viral load. In addition, an increase in the NKT2 subset was observed only in this subgroup. An enhanced frequency of activated CD4⁺ T-cells (CD4⁺HLA-DR⁺) was a characteristic feature of the non-viremic group, whereas elevated CD19⁺ B-cells and CD19⁺CD86⁺ cell populations were the major phenotypic features of the viremic group, particularly in individuals with a low viral load. Although CD4⁺CD25High T-cells were significantly elevated in both the viremic and non-viremic groups, it was particularly evident in the viremic low viral load subgroup. A parallel increase in CD4⁺CD25High T-cells, pre-NK, and activated CD4⁺ T-cells was observed in the non-viremic group, whereas a parallel increase in CD4⁺CD25High T-cells and CD19⁺ B-cells was characteristic of the low viral load subgroup. These findings suggest that CD56Bright NK cells, together with pre-NK cells and activated CD4⁺ T-cells in combination with CD4⁺CD25High T-cells, might play an important role in controlling viremia. Elevated CD56Bright NK cells, B-cell responses and a T-regulated immunological profile appeared to be associated with a low viral load. J. Med. Virol. 81:49-59, 2009.