Analysis of Populations of Memory T-Helper Cells Expressing CXCR3 and CCR6 Chemokine Receptors in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis C.

Flow cytometry was employed to examine the content of major populations of memory T helper cells and expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR6 on their surface in peripheral blood drawn from virtually healthy people and the patients with chronic viral hepatitis C. The following combination of monoclonal antibodies had been used: CD62LFITC/CD45RA-PE/CD3-ECD/CCR6-PC7/CXCR3-APC/CD4-APC-Cy7. In comparison with control group, the patients with chronic hepatitis C had a smaller number of populations of naïve CD4(+) T cells and central memory CD4(+) T cells but a greater number of terminally differentiated effector memory CD4(+) T cells and effector memory CD4(+) T cells. No differences were revealed between CD4(+) T cell populations of both groups in expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 receptors.