Expression of α-Defensins, CD20+ B-lymphocytes, and Intraepithelial CD3+ T-lymphocytes in the Intestinal Mucosa of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Emerging Mediators of Intestinal Barrier Function

Aim The present study investigates the role of innate and adaptive immune system of intestinal mucosal barrier function in cirrhosis. Methods Forty patients with decompensated ( n = 40, group A), 27 with compensated cirrhosis ( n = 27, group B), and 27 controls ( n = 27, group C) were subjected to duodenal biopsy. Expression of α-defensins 5 and 6 at the intestinal crypts was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Serum endotoxin, intestinal T-intraepithelial, and lamina propria B-lymphocytes were quantified. Results Cirrhotic patients presented higher endotoxin concentrations ( p