5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine may enhance the frequency of T regulatory cells from CD4+ naive T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with chronic HBV infection

Objectives: Methylation pattern of gene modification is essential for the differentiation of T regulatory cells (Tregs) and 5-Aza-2MODIFIER LETTER PRIME-deoxycytidine is a common inhibitor of methylation. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of Treg polarizing conditions and 5-Aza-2MODIFIER LETTER PRIME-deoxycytidine treatment in the differentiation of naive T cells during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: The frequency of Tregs in peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (n = 51), liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 47), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 40) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 17). Gene expression were detected by qRT-PCR and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) Activity was also determined. Results: of Tregs and Foxp3 expression in peripheral blood from 5-Aza-2MODIFIER LETTER PRIME-deoxycytidine-treated groups were higher than that with acetic acid treatment as a control. Foxp3 mRNA and the frequency of Tregs derived from naive CD4(+)T cells from peripheral blood of patients with HCC or LC were more pronounced compared with HCs. 5-Aza-2MODIFIER LETTER PRIME-deoxycytidine may have induced a more pronounced upward trend of PD-1 expression in HBV patients. Conclusions: ER LETTER PRIME-deoxycytidine mediated demethylation has potential effects on enhancing the differentiation of naive T cells to Tregs in chronic HBV infection.

Automated summary

5-Aza-2´-deoxycytidine treatment increased Tregs and Foxp3 expression in peripheral blood compared to control groups. HBV patients showed a pronounced increase in PD-1 expression, suggesting a potential effect of 5-Aza-2´-deoxycytidine on Treg differentiation in chronic HBV infection.