Expansions of CD8+CD28-and CD8+TcRV beta 5.2+T cells in peripheral blood of heavy alcohol drinkers

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2000

Authors

Arosa, FA (Author) ICBAS; Porto, G (Author) ICBAS; Cabeda, JM (Author) Other; Lacerda, R (Author) Other; Resende, D (Author) Other; Cruz, E (Author) Other; Cardoso, C (Author) Other; Fonseca, M (Author) Other; Simoes, C (Author) Other; Rodrigues, P (Author) ICBAS; Bravo, F (Author) Other; Oliveira, JC (Author) Other; Alves, H (Author) Other; Fraga, J (Author) Other; Justica, B (Author) Other; de Sousa, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

Vol. 24

Pages: 519-527

ISSN: 0145-6008

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-0BZ

DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb02020.x

Abstract (EN): Background: Despite heavy alcohol consumption, only a low percentage of heavy drinkers develop liver disease. Imbalances in T-cell subsets and iron metabolism parameters are common findings in heavy drinkers, yet the possible role played by discrete T-lymphocyte subsets under heavy alcohol consumption remains unclear. Methods: To gain new insights into the possible role played by T lymphocytes during alcohol consumption, characterization of CD28 expression and TcR repertoire in peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by two and three-color flow cytometry was performed. A group of heavy alcohol drinkers (AHD, n = 71) and a group of age-matched controls (n = 81), both HLA-phenotyped and HFE-genotyped, constituted the groups under study. Results: Marked expansions of CD28- T cells within the CD8+ but not the CD4+ T-cell pool were observed in AHD compared with controls. These CD8+ expansions were paralleled by expansions of CD8+ T cells bearing specific TcR V alpha/beta chains, namely V beta 5.2. Moreover, AHD, but not controls, carrying the H63D mutation in the HFE gene showed significantly higher percentages of CD28- T cells within the CD8+ T-cell pool than AHD carrying the normal HFE gene. Finally, high numbers of CD8+CD28- T cells in AHD were associated with lower levels of the liver-related enzymes ALT and GGT. Conclusions: This study showed that under active ethanol consumption, expansions of discrete CD8+ T-cell subsets occur within the CD8+ T-cell pool, that molecules of the MHC-class I locus seem to influence the extent of the expansions, and that high numbers of CD8+ CD28- T cells are associated with low levels of liver enzymes in AHD.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9