The Upregulation of Natural Killer Cells in Liver Compartments in Chronic Hepatitis B and C
NK Cells in Chronic Viral Hepatitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21959236Keywords:
Natural killer cells, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, liver biopsy, fibrosisAbstract
Aim: To evaluate the distribution of natural killer (NK) cells in portal and parenchymal regions of liver biopsies in patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), and to investigate their relationship with fibrosis.
Materials and Methods: Liver biopsies from 20 chronic HCV patients, 19 chronic HBV patients, and 19 control subjects were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treatment-naïve at the time of biopsy. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using CD16, CD56, CD57, and IgG markers. NK cell counts were evaluated in portal and parenchymal areas. Fibrosis was assessed using the Ishak scoring system. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and Spearman correlation tests.
Results: NK cell counts (CD16, CD56, IgG) were significantly higher in both portal and parenchymal regions in HBV and HCV patients compared to controls (p<0.05). CD57-positive cells showed a significant increase only in parenchymal areas. A negative correlation was observed between CD57-positive NK cell distribution and fibrosis, which was statistically significant in HBV patients (rs: -0.589, p=0.01).
Conclusion: NK cell accumulation is increased in chronic viral hepatitis, particularly in portal and parenchymal compartments. The inverse relationship between CD57-positive NK cells and fibrosis suggests a potential regulatory role in disease progression.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Munkhtsetseg Banzragch Yagci, Emel Ahishali, Faruk Erdem Kombak, Naziye Ozkan, Ender Güneş Yegin, Can Dolapcioglu, Osman C. Ozdogan, Cigdem Ataizi Celikel
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