Rescue of dendritic cells malfunction and loading with HBV proteins in patients with chronic hepatitis B in vitro

Objective: To investigate dendritic cell (DC) malfunctions in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and try some means to restore the function in vitro.

Methods: Twelve CHB patients and 10 healthy people were enrolled in the study. Phenotype analysis and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) assay of DC from these subjects were made. Enzyme-linked ELISpot method for detecting IFN-gamma-producing CD8 (+) T cells were used to evaluate the efficacy of DC loaded in vitro with HBsAg or HBcAg.

Results: DC from patients had a lower expression of co-stimulatory molecules and impaired AMLR capacity, but was restored partially by cytokine cocktail in vitro. Mature DC loaded with HBsAg or HBcAg showed a greater capacity for IFN-gamma-production than immature DC.

Conclusions: Malfunction of DC from CHB patients may be rescued by a cocktail of cytokines, and therapeutic DC vaccines loaded with HBV protein might be helpful to treat CHB patients.