T-lymphocyte subsets and Th1/Th2 cytokines in convalescent patients with Epstein–Barr virus-associated aplastic anemia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze T-lymphocyte subsets and Th1/Th2 cytokines in convalescent patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated aplastic anemia (AA). Methods: Sixty AA patients were enrolled, who were in remission following immunosuppressive therapy, including 34 EBV-negative cases and 26 EBV-positive cases. Their complete blood count (CBC), T-lymphocyte subsets, Th1/Th2 cytokines were analyzed. The correlation between EBV-DNA and T-lymphocyte subsets was evaluated, as well as the relationship between EBV-DNA and Th1/Th2 cytokines. The presence of EBV-DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was also assessed in 60 normal controls. Results: EBV-DNA was detected in 26/60 (43.33%) patients and 21/60 (35.00%) controls. EBV-DNA copy number in AA patients was higher than in controls (Z = −2.138, P = 0.033). The percentage of CD3 + CD4 + T-lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4 + /CD8 + T-lymphocytes in the EBV-negative group were higher than in the EBV-positive group (P = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). EBV was positively correlated with CD3 + CD8 + T-lymphocyte percentages (Pearson R: 0.496, P = 0.009). Moreover, EBV was positively correlated with IL-10 and IFN-γ levels (Pearson R: 0.559, P = 0.002 and Pearson R: 0.621, P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: EBV-DNA copy number in AA patients was higher than in normal controls. Both AA and EBV infection may cause changes in the levels of T-lymphocyte subsets. We recommend monitoring the changes in the immune function and EBV infection simultaneously in AA patients, especially following immunosuppressive therapy.

Clinical value of plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells Epstein–Barr Virus DNA dynamics on prognosis of allogeneic stem cell transplantation

“…Immunoassays of the present study showed a poor immune reconstitution of high EBV-level group as reflected in profoundly lower proportion of CD4+ T cells and abnormally elevated CD8+ T cell percentage within one-year after HSCT. In line with the present study, Chen et al concluded that the EBV DNA copy number was positively correlated with the level of CD8+ T cells and IL-10, the percentage of CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ cells were lower in the EBVpositive group than in the EBV-negative group (Chen et al, 2020). Moreover, low numbers of endogenous CD4+ T cells will in turn increase the risk of the development of EBV-associated diseases in immunosuppressed patients (Mautner and Bornkamm, 2012).…”

“…Similarly, Li et al study suggested patients with intermediate level of EBV DNA load after HSCT might reflect balanced reconstitution of host immune response and had better OS than those with high (>90000 copies/10 6 cells) or very low level (<6000 copies/10 6 cells) of cellular EBV DNA (5-year OS 90% vs 67%, p<0.03) (Li et al, 2016). T cell dysfunction plays an important role in the reactivation and replication of EBV (Chen et al, 2020). It is likely that the presence of intermediate-level of EBV DNA load presented in PBMCs and plasma is a consequence of appropriate immunosuppression, in this case, effective clearance of T cells and better engraftment can be achieved, but it could also impair the control of viral load in latent EBV-infected cells, leading to the increased EBV DNA load in PBMCs.…”

Establishment and Clinical Application of a Method for Detecting T Lymphocyte Subsets by Cellular Immunochip Technology

“…This may be due to the fact that the number of T lymphocyte subsets in the inflammation and cancer population is not only related to the state of the body and the severity of the disease but also to the disease Type-related. 16 This study also found that there are certain differences in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratios between men and women in different disease groups, and women are higher than men. This may be because women have a more complex immune system than men.…”

Study on the Expression Differences and the Correlation with H2BE Gene of Th Related Cytokines in SSDHS and LDSDS TCM-Syndromes of CHB Patients

“…Previous studies found that the imbalances of 1/ 2 cells and their cytokines are important causes of CHB [27]. However, 1 and 2 levels are strongly associated with the cytokine levels elaborated above [21]. For different CHB TCM-syndromes, as the TCM-syndrome changes, the immune responses may also be changed due to the ratios of a mean ± standard deviation.…”

“…Under the stimulation of hepatitis B antigen, cells then mainly differentiate into two subgroups, 1 and 2. 1 mainly participates in the cellular immune response by secreting interleukin-2 (IL-2) and INFc, and 2 is mainly involved in the humoral immune response by secreting interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) [21].…”