Objective: To investigate the immunoregulatory effect of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) transplantation on T lymphocytes and cytokines in patients with HBV-related end-stage liver disease.
Methods: Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentages of Th1, Th2 and regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to analyze the levels of serum IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10.
Results: Patients with HBV-related end-stage liver disease displayed significantly improved liver function after PBSCs transplantation. Statistically, after PBSCs transplantation, the percentages of Th2 and Treg in peripheral blood markedly increased, but serum IL-6 and IL-10 declined significantly. No significant differences were observed in the changes of Th1 and its cytokine, IFN-γ after transplantation.
Conclusion: Autologous PBSCs transplantation can depress inflammation in liver by regulating immune microenvironment, which at least in part delineates the mechanism of stem cells-mediated therapeutic benefit on end-stage liver disease.