Increased frequency and FOXP3 expression of human CD8 + CD25 High+ T lymphocytes and its relation to CD4 regulatory T cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The mechanism of action of CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully understood. Herein, the role of CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells in HCC was compared with that of CD4 CD25 FOXP3 regulatory T cells (conventional Tregs). Thirty-five patients with HCC and twenty age and sex-matched healthy adults (controls) were enrolled. The percentage of CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells and conventional Tregs in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry. Our results revealed that the percentage of peripheral CD8 CD25 FOXP3 T cells in HCC patients was significantly higher than controls (P = 0.005). The conventional Tregs showed the same trend with a higher level in HCC than controls (P