Tim-3 Expression on T Cells is Correlated with Liver Inflammation, Fibrosis and Virological Characteristics in Treatment-Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Immune response mediated by T cells plays an important role in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). As an immunoregulatory molecule, little is known about the characteristics of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) on T cells. In this study, the association of Tim-3 on T and its subset cells with clinical-virological features in treatment-naïve CHB patients were identified. Methods: From July 2015 to January 2017, we carried-out a cross-sectional study which 320 CHB patients in different phases (immune active-IA, immune tolerant phase-IT, inactive CHB-IC, and grey zone-GZ) and 17 healthy donors were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Tim-3 expression on T cells and its subsets were tested by flowcytometry. Results: The Tim-3 MFI on Total T cells and T cells subsets were significantly higher in CHB patients than healthy controls (HC). Tim-3 expression levels were varied in CHB patients in different stages (P<0.05). The expression levels of Tim-3 (MFI or frequency) on total T cells and T cells subsets were positively correlated with liver inflammation (ALT and AST), TBIL, HBV-DNA, fibrosis (APRI-score). Moreover, significant higher Tim-3 expression levels on T cells and its subsets were observed on higher HBsAg groups compared to lower HBsAg groups. Besides, higher Tim-3 MFI on CD4+ T cells was observed on higher HBcAb group. Conclusions: In summary, we found that Tim-3 expression on T cells in CHB patients was associated with virology, liver inflammation and liver fibrosis, suggesting that Tim-3 may play an important role in the disease process and outcome in patients with CHB and would be a point for treatment.