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An analysis of T cell antigen receptor variable beta genes during the clinical course of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND
The degree of hepatocyte injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B appears consistent with the number of T cells that respond to hepatitis B virus-related antigens.


METHODS
By using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach, we monitored a ratio of the T cell antigen receptor (TcR) variable (V) beta gene families against a total TcR V beta gene expression in the peripheral T cells obtained from five patients and four healthy controls.


RESULTS
In the healthy controls, there was no significant change in the ratios at an interval of four or eight weeks. In contrast, several TcR V beta families showed the significant changes in the ratios of their gene expression during the follow-up period in all patients. No common highly fluctuated TcR V beta, however, was found among the patients. Furthermore, there was no correlation between their changes and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the skewing of the TcR family with multiclone is the result of T-cell responses to viral antigens in peripheral blood.