Genotype-Associated Differential NKG2D Expression on CD56+CD3+ Lymphocytes Predicts Response to Pegylated-Interferon/ Ribavirin Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis C
Fig 5
NKG2D expression on CD56+CD3+ lymphocytes predicts treatment responses to PEG-IFN/ ribavirin therapy.
PBMCs were collected and analyzed by flow cytometry for NKG2D expression on CD56+CD3+ lymphocytes before treatment. Plasma HCV-RNA levels were measured regularly to monitor viral kinetics during treatment. (A, left) Correlation of decreased plasma HCV RNA (IU/ml) from week 0 to week 4 and NKG2D expression on CD56+CD3+ lymphocytes is shown. (A, right) NKG2D expression was analyzed to compare RVR (n = 8) and non-RVR (n = 22) cases. (B) NKG2D expression on CD56+CD3+ lymphocytes was analyzed to (i) compare SVR (n = 17) and non-SVR (n = 13) cases; (ii) SVR (n = 4), PR (n = 9), and NR (n = 4) in genotype 1 infection; (iii) ROC analysis to predict SVR by NKG2D expression on CD56+CD3+ lymphocytes. (C) Pre-treatment peripheral CD56+CD3+ lymphocytes were stratified into CD4+CD8-, CD8+CD4- and CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) subpopulations. NKG2D expression on corresponding subpopulations were determined. Statistics of NKG2D expression were compared between SVR (n = 17) and non-SVR (n = 13) cases, including both genotypes. Data show mean ± SD. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, NS: not significant.