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Hepatology International
Published in: Hepatology International 5/2017

Open Access 01-09-2017 | Original Article

Functional restoration of CD56bright NK cells facilitates immune control via IL-15 and NKG2D in patients under antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B

Authors: Tao Chen, Lin Zhu, Aichao Shi, Lin Ding, Xiaoping Zhang, Zhenmin Tan, Wei Guo, Weiming Yan, Meifang Han, Jidong Jia, Xiaoping Luo, Detlef Schuppan, Qin Ning

Published in: Hepatology International | Issue 5/2017

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Abstract

Background and aims

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is intrinsically immunogenic, with long-lasting immune control in many patients. However, the mechanisms and key cell types underlying effective immune control are incompletely understood.

Methods

We studied the restoration of natural killer (NK) cell numbers and function post antiviral treatment in 52 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who received telbivudine (LdT) for 48 weeks. Blood samples were collected at week 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 and tested for HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBeAg, liver enzymes, and NK cell parameters.

Results

Compared with baseline, the number of peripheral CD3−CD56bright NK cells increased significantly from week 24 to 48, especially in patients with baseline alanine transaminase (ALT) two- to fivefold the upper line of normal (ULN) or HBV DNA <9 log10 copies/ml. Expression (number and density) of activating receptors NKG2D and NKp46 on CD3−CD56bright NK cells was enhanced, while inhibitory receptor NKG2A decreased. Notably, numbers of CD3−CD56bright or NKG2D+CD3−CD56bright NK cells were significantly better restored in patients with HBeAg seroconversion. NK cell activating serum interleukin 15 (IL-15) was significantly increased during LdT treatment, especially in HBeAg seroconverters. LdT significantly enhanced expression of NKG2D and IL-15 in cultures of purified peripheral NK cells from treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive CHB patients.

Conclusions

Functional restoration of CD56bright NK cells via upregulation of IL-15 and NKG2D is a novel activity of LdT and likely other antivirals, independent of its effect on HBV replication. This also demonstrates the importance of host immune restoration in controlling chronic HBV infection.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Functional restoration of CD56bright NK cells facilitates immune control via IL-15 and NKG2D in patients under antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B
Authors
Tao Chen
Lin Zhu
Aichao Shi
Lin Ding
Xiaoping Zhang
Zhenmin Tan
Wei Guo
Weiming Yan
Meifang Han
Jidong Jia
Xiaoping Luo
Detlef Schuppan
Qin Ning
Publication date
01-09-2017
Publisher
Springer India
Published in
Hepatology International / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 1936-0533
Electronic ISSN: 1936-0541
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-017-9803-4

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