9 5.0-9.8) log10 copies/mL], and the serum alanine aminotransferase Tofacitinib Citrate clinical (ALT) was 174.6 �� 7.78 IU/L [median: 113 (99-567) IU/L]. All patients received telbivudine 600 mg/day for 48 weeks. The serum ALT level, HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBe, anti-HBs and HBV DNA were tested every 12 weeks during the telbivudine therapy. Healthy donors (n = 10) were included as controls. Flow cytometry Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulated blood samples on a Ficoll-Histopaque density gradient. After isolation, cells were washed twice in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and studied immediately. CD127, CD8, CD27 and CD45RA expression on the PBMC was detected by direct staining. CD127 expression on HBV-specific CD8+ T cells was performed as described previously [10].

Briefly, PBMC were stained with surface PC5-anti-CD8 (BD Pharmingen, San Diego, CA, USA) and pentamer+ CD8 T cells were detected by staining with phycoerythrin (PE)-labelled pentameric peptide-HLA2 complex (ProImmune, Oxford, UK) containing HBV Core 18-27 (FLPSDFFPSV) and HBV Core 18-27 (FLPSDFFPSI). Gated on CD8 T cells, CD127 expression on HBV-specific CD8 T cells was analyzed by fluorescein isothiocynate (FITC)-anti-CD127 and PE-labelled pentamers. Cells were washed three times with PBS, and 1 �� 106 events in the lymphogate were collected by flow cytometry (EPICSXL; Coulter, Fullerton, CA, USA). Data were analyzed using CellQuest software (Coulter). Statistical analysis The Wilcoxon matched pairs test and the Mann-Whitney test of SPSS version 12.

0 were used to assess differences among groups. Spearman correlation analysis was performed between CD127 expression and serum HBV DNA and HBeAg levels. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results CD127 expression on memory CD8 T cells was reduced in patients with chronic hepatitis B Ex vivo expression of CD127 by different CD8 T lymphocyte subsets taken from patients with CHB were checked by flow cytometry. As indicated in Fig. Fig.1a,1a, naive CD8 T cells (CD45RA+CD27+) from CHB patients showed a high percentage of CD127+ cells, as did the cells from healthy controls. When the expression of CD127 was examined in memory CD8 T cells (CD45RA-CD27+) and effector CD8 T cells (CD45-RACD27-), we found significant decrease of CD127 expression in CHB patients compared with healthy controls.

Terminally differentiated effector CD8 T cells (CD45RA+CD27-) from both CHB patients and healthy controls expressed little CD127, as indicated in Fig. Fig.1b1b. Figure 1 Ex vivo expression of CD127 by memory GSK-3 CD8 T cells taken from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. (a) CD127 expression by CD27+CD45RA+ naive CD8 T cells. Results are shown for one healthy control and two CHB patients. (b) Proportion of CD127+ lymphocyte …