Increased frequency and FOXP3 expression of human CD8 + CD25 High+ T lymphocytes and its relation to CD4 regulatory T cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

• Published in: Human immunology Vol. 80; no. 7; p. 510
• Main Authors: Zahran, Asmaa M, Nafady-Hego, Hanaa, Mansor, Shima G, Abbas, Wael A, Abdel-Malek, Mohamed O, Mekky, Mohamed A, Hetta, Helal F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Fetoproteins - metabolism; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - blood; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - immunology; Case-Control Studies; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Female; Forkhead Transcription Factors - metabolism; Humans; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit - metabolism; Liver Neoplasms - blood; Liver Neoplasms - immunology; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - metabolism; Hepatocellular carcinoma; CD8(+)CD25(High+)FOXP3(+)T cells; Conventional CD4(+) regulatory T cells
• ISSN: 1879-1166

The mechanism of action of CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully understood. Herein, the role of CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells in HCC was compared with that of CD4 CD25 FOXP3 regulatory T cells (conventional Tregs). Thirty-five patients with HCC and twenty age and sex-matched healthy adults (controls) were enrolled. The percentage of CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells and conventional Tregs in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry. Our results revealed that the percentage of peripheral CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells in HCC patients was significantly higher than controls (P = 0.005). The conventional Tregs showed the same trend with a higher level in HCC than controls (P < 0.0001). FOXP3 expression of CD8 CD25 T cells is higher than that of CD8 CD25 and CD8 CD25 T cells. The percentage of CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells positively correlated with that of conventional Tregs in HCC patients but not in controls. The higher alpha-fetoprotein positively correlated with the higher CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells and conventional Tregs (R2 = 0.481, P < 0.0001 and R2 = 0.249, P = 0.001, respectively). The frequency of both CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells and conventional Tregs was significantly increased in HCC with multiple lesions compared with those with one or two lesions. In conclusion: CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells similar to conventional Tregs might be used as biomarkers of HCC progression. Therapy targeting the peripherally expanded CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells may provide a novel perspective for HCC treatment.