No abstract

chronic hepatitis c (chc) affects the activity of natural killer (nk) cells, but successful interferonfree treatment partially restores it. the goal of this study was to assess whether gender influences nk functionality. we examined 21 post-menopausal women and 24 men with chc who were treated with direct-acting antivirals (Daa) and 33 healthy volunteers. using flow cytometry, we analysed kir2Ds4, nkG2D, nkp30, kir2Dl2/Dl3, nkG2a and trail on the surface of nk cells. intracellular granzyme B was also assessed and serum cXcl10 was quantified via elisa. overall, patients with chc had higher expression of kir2Ds4, nkG2a, and nkp30 relative to the control group. further, chc patients had a lower percentage of nk cells among lymphocytes relative to the control group. after treatment, kir2Ds4, kir2Dl2/Dl, nkG2a, trail and nkp30 on nk cells were decreased whilst the percentage of nk cells and the expression of granzyme B and nkG2D increased. Prior to treatment, serum cXcl10 was elevated, but it was inhibited post-treatment. we observed gender-specific differences in the expression of kir2Dl2/Dl3 (higher in women) and nkp30 (elevated in men) compared to chc/control groups. after treatment, kir2Dl2/Dl3, nkp30 and cXcl10 dropped only in the female group while granzyme B increased in the male group. in conclusion, the response of nk cells among men and women of post-menopausal ages with chc differs. our research may lead to more studies on the different nature of female and male immune systems in the context of hcV infection and treatment.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) affects the activity of NK cells, but successful interferon-free treatment partially restores it. The goal of the study was to assess whether gender influences those alterations. We examined 21 women after menopause and 24 men with CHC treated with directly acting antivirals (DAA), and 33 healthy volunteers. With flow cytometry, we analysed KIR2DS4, NKG2D, NKp30, KIR2DL2/DL3, NKG2A, TRAIL and granzyme B on the surface of NK cells, simultaneously we checked serum CXCL10 with ELISA. Overall, patients with CHC had higher expression of KIR2DS4, NKG2A, NKp30 and a lower percentage of NK cells among lymphocytes than the control group. After the treatment KIR2DS4, KIR2DL2/DL3 and NKG2A, TRAIL NKp30 on NK cells decreased, while the percentage of NK cells, expression of granzyme B and NKG2D increased. Serum CXCL10 was elevated before the treatment and dropped afterwards. We observed differences between genders in the expression of KIR2DL2/DL3 (higher in female) and NKp30 (elevated in men) comparing CHC/control groups. After the treatment of KIR2DL2/DL3, NKp30 and CXCL10 dropped only in female while granzyme B increased in male. In conclusion, the response of NK cells among men and women in post-menopausal age with CHC differs. Our research may lead to more studies on different nature of female and male immune systems in the context of HCV infection and treatment.