Our recent study showed a high rate of HBsAg seroconversion in inactive HBsAg carriers (IHCs) treated with pegylated IFN (PEG-IFN). To understand the immune-mediated component of the HBsAg seroconversion better, this study investigated the role of NK cells. A total of 44 IHCs were given 48 wk of PEG-IFN. Fifteen cases achieved HBsAg seroconversion (R group), whereas 29 failed (NR group). The proportion and activity (CD107α and IFN-γ production) of NK cells were measured before and during treatment. We found that the proportion of NK cells in the R group was higher than in the NR group at baseline and during PEG-IFN treatment, even when patients were matched for age, sex and treatment period. IFN- γ secretion and CD107α expression from NK cells in cases who achieved HBsAg seroconversion were significantly higher than patients matched for age, sex, HBsAg and treatment period in the NR group at baseline and during PEG-IFN treatment. We also found that in HBsAg seroconversion cases, NK cells activity increased after PEG-IFN treatment, especially before HBsAg seroconversion. These effects were not found in non-responders. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the increase of NK cells accompanied by enhanced activity during PEG-IFN treatment favoured HBsAg seroconversion for IHC, and that NK cells may play a role in HBV seroconversion.

我们最近的研究表明，在用聚乙二醇化干扰素 (PEG-IFN) 治疗的非活动性 HBsAg 携带者 (IHC) 中，HBsAg 血清学转换率很高。为了更好地了解 HBsAg 血清转化的免疫介导成分，本研究调查了 NK 细胞的作用。总共 44 个 IHC 接受了 48 周的 PEG-IFN。15 例实现 HBsAg 血清学转换（R 组），而 29 例失败（NR 组）。在治疗前和治疗期间测量 NK 细胞的比例和活性（CD107α 和 IFN-γ 产生）。我们发现，在基线和 PEG-IFN 治疗期间，R 组中 NK 细胞的比例高于 NR 组，即使患者的年龄、性别和治疗期匹配。在实现 HBsAg 血清学转换的病例中，NK 细胞的 IFN-γ 分泌和 CD107α 表达显着高于年龄、性别、NR 组在基线和 PEG-IFN 治疗期间的 HBsAg 和治疗期。我们还发现，在 HBsAg 血清学转换病例中，PEG-IFN 治疗后 NK 细胞活性增加，尤其是在 HBsAg 血清学转换之前。在无反应者中未发现这些影响。总之，我们证明在 PEG-IFN 治疗期间 NK 细胞的增加伴随着活性的增强有利于 IHC 的 HBsAg 血清转换，并且 NK 细胞可能在 HBV 血清转换中起作用。