Memory T-cells in autoimmune liver disease: a preliminary study

TANNO FEDERICO; REGGIARDO MARIA VIRGINIA; TANNO HUGO; BOTTASSO O; VILLAR S

Buenos Aires

Congreso; LXV Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2020

SAIC, SAI, SAFIS

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a progressive inflammatory disease involving many T lymphocyte subsets in its development. For instance, T cell subsets engaged in B cell activation and differentiation, as well as memory T cells. Based on their surface markers, memory T CD4+ cells are classified into two subsets: the central memory T (TCM) cells expressing CD44+ and CD62Lhigh which facilitate their homing to the secondary lymphoid organs; and the effector memory T (TEM) cells which are CD44+/CD62Llow and exit into circulation toward peripheral tissues. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to characterize the immunophenotype markers of memory T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood from five patients with type 1 AIH, attending at the Gastroenterology Service of Hospital Provincial del Centenario de Rosario. Five healthy subjects were included as controls (Co). All patients were treated with prednisone and azathioprine at the time of blood collection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained and processed by flow cytometric analysis. AIH patients were positive for anti-ANA or anti-SMA antibodies showing higher levels of serum IgG, IgM, and IgA if compared to Co. The AIH group presented significantly increased and decreased levels of TCM and TEM cells, respectively in comparison from values in the control group (P≤0.05). Such increase in TCM cells may be reflecting a pathogenetic role in AIH. Specifically, the higher percentage of TCM cells at the peripheral level, may be associated with a Th2 response profile, and hence responsible for elevated gamma globulin fraction (mostly IgG and IgA) as well as the presence of autoantibody levels.