Alterations of CD3~- CD161~+NK cell and CD3~+CD161~+NKT Cell population in the chronic hepatic diseases

Objective To investigate the significance of the alteration of NK cell population in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The number and distribution of CD3~-CD161~+NK cells,CD3~+CD161~+NKT cells in liver tissue(31 patients vs 15 healthy controls)and peripheral blood(59 patients vs 48 healthy controls)of chronic hepatitis/hepatic cirrhosis were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results CD3~-CD161~+NK cells[(16.7±4.8)%],in the surrounding tissue of HCC were significantly lower than far distancing hepatocellular carcinoma group[(22.0±4.4)%]、chronic hepatitis/hepatic cirhosis group[(13.4±1.3)%],and normal control group[(35.1±7.2)%](t=2.301,2.137,2.034,P<0.05).CD3~-CD161~+NK cells[(11.6±6.3)%]and CD3~+CD161~+NKT cells[(14.7±6.2)%]in peripheral blood of HCC were significantly higher than chronic hepatitis/hepatic cirrhosis[(10.8±1.7)%、(12.54±0.8)%]and normal control group [(7.5±0.8)%,(13.8±1.7)%],(t=2.134,2.099,P<0.05).Conclusion The number of NK cells and NKT cells in the surrounding tissue of HCC was decreased.This result may imply that tumor may escape from immunological surveillance mechanisms,leading to its advanced stages. Key words: CD3~-CD161~+NK cell; CD3~+CD161~+ NKT cell; Hepatocellular carcinoma