Low Ratio of Treg to Th17 Cells After 36 Weeks of Telbivudine Therapy Predict HBeAg Seroconversion

Changes of Treg/Th17 cells ratio and their associated cytokines have some correlations with an immune modulatory effect of Telbivudine treatment. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of the dynamic ratio of Treg/Th17 cells in the mechanism of LdT therapy and their relationships with the clinical responses. We detected the frequency and cytokines production of Treg and Th17 cells in 28 hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 96 weeks after initial LdT therapy. LdT could upregulate the frequency of Th17 cells and Th17 cells associated cytokines, downregulated the frequency of Treg cells and level of TGF-β, which leads to the decrease of Treg/Th17 ratio in HBeAg-positive CHB patients. Treg/Th17 ratio at treatment week 36 could independently predict HBeAg seroconversion in the first 2 years of Telbivudine treatment. Telbivudine therapy can decrease Treg/Th17 ratio, which may predict HBeAg seroconversion during treatment.