Dynamics of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Level with Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells containing an aggregate of immune competent cells, such as T lymphocytes, B cells and natural killer cells, play an important role in control or persistence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Similarly, the expression of hepatitis B viral antigens on the surface of infected hepatocytes can invoke a cytotoxic T–cell response.

Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and peripheral lymphocyte subsets of healthy donors and chronic hepatitis B patients.

Methodology: Serum HBsAg was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Peripheral blood lymphocyte cell phenotyping was carried out by flow cytometry for all chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy blood donors.

Results: The results of this study showed a significant correlation between HBsAg level and percentage of T and NK cells (r=0.366; P=0.01, r=-0.462; P=0.01, respectively). On the other hand, significance variation in peripheral blood lymphocyte percentage of T lymphocyte subsets in patients were found to be directly proportional to T cell subsets CD4+and CD8+ (P=0.001) compared with healthy blood donor controls.

Conclusion: In conclusion this study highlighted the role of the HBsAg level in supressing the immune cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. Understanding the interactions between HBsAg and peripheral blood cells serves as a basis for development of HBV therapeutic vaccines and a prognostic biomarker in persistent HBV infection.