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ABSTRACT: Background
This study aimed to assess the host immune signatures associated with EBV infection and its clinical value in indicating the severity of children with acute infectious mononucleosis (IM).Methods
Twenty-eight pediatric patients with IM aged 3-8 years were enrolled. The immune phenotypes and cytokine secretion capability of T cells were detected.Results
The percentages and absolute numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly increased in IM patients compared with HCs. The percentages of Naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were decreased but with increased percentages of memory CD4+ and CD8+ T subsets. Our results showed the upregulation of active marker HLA-DR, TCR-αβ, and inhibitory receptors PD-1, TIGIT in CD8+ T cells from IM patients, which suggested that effective cytotoxic T cells were highly against EBV infection. However, EBV exposure impaired the cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) secretion capability of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after stimulation with PMA/ionomycin in vitro. Multivariate analysis revealed that the percentage of HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells was an independent prognostic marker for IM. The percentage of HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells was significantly correlated with high viral load and abnormal liver function results.Conclusion
Robust expansion and upregulation of HLA-DR in CD8+ T cells, accompanied with impaired cytokine secretion, were typical characteristics of children with acute IM. The percentage of HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells might be used as a prominent marker not only for the early diagnosis but also for indicating the severity of IM.
SUBMITTER: Wang Y
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8596082 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature