Dysregulation of toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 expression on monocytes and upregulation of the frequency of T cells expressing TLR2 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

TY - JOUR

T1 - Dysregulation of toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 expression on monocytes and upregulation of the frequency of T cells expressing TLR2 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

AU - Ronit, Andreas

AU - Salem, Mohammad

AU - Hartling, Hans J

AU - Gaardbo, Julie C

AU - Ullum, Henrik

AU - Gerstoft, Jan

AU - Nielsen, Susanne Dam

PY - 2013/5

Y1 - 2013/5

N2 - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiate inflammatory responses that may play a role in disease progression in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). TLR2 and TLR4 surface expression were assessed on CD14+ monocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in treatment naïve patients with chronic HCV infection with fibrosis, without fibrosis, co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and in healthy controls. Increased expression of TLR2 was found on monocytes in HCV-infected patients with fibrosis (p < 0.01), co-infected with HIV (p = 0.03), and possibly in patients without fibrosis (p = 0.07) when compared to controls. TLR2 positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were upregulated in patients with fibrosis only (p < 0.01). However, expression of TLR2 was not associated with T cell activation. TLR4 expression was similar in patients and healthy controls. In conclusion, TLR2 expression on monocytes and the frequency of T cells expressing TLR2 may contribute to disease progression in chronic HCV infection.

AB - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiate inflammatory responses that may play a role in disease progression in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). TLR2 and TLR4 surface expression were assessed on CD14+ monocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in treatment naïve patients with chronic HCV infection with fibrosis, without fibrosis, co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and in healthy controls. Increased expression of TLR2 was found on monocytes in HCV-infected patients with fibrosis (p < 0.01), co-infected with HIV (p = 0.03), and possibly in patients without fibrosis (p = 0.07) when compared to controls. TLR2 positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were upregulated in patients with fibrosis only (p < 0.01). However, expression of TLR2 was not associated with T cell activation. TLR4 expression was similar in patients and healthy controls. In conclusion, TLR2 expression on monocytes and the frequency of T cells expressing TLR2 may contribute to disease progression in chronic HCV infection.

U2 - 10.1111/apm.12013

DO - 10.1111/apm.12013

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23083518

SN - 0903-465X

VL - 121

SP - 437

EP - 446

JO - APMIS. Supplementum

JF - APMIS. Supplementum

IS - 5

ER -