Changes in circulating Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and interleukin-17-producing T helper cells during HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

Figure 5 Ratio of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells to interleukin-17-producing T helper cells was dynamically increased during hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure. A: Representative dot plots of intracellular IL-17 and Foxp3 staining in different stages of a hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACHBLF) individual. Values in the upper right quadrant indicate the circulating Th17 cells percentage and the FoxP3⁺ percentage of total CD4 T cells; B: The dynamics of Th17 cell frequency at the onset, peak and recovery phases of ACHBLF; C: The dynamics of Treg cells at the onset, peak and recovery phases of ACHBLF; D: The dynamics of the ratio of Treg to Th17 cell frequency at the onset, peak and recovery phases of acute-on-chronic HBV-related liver failure. The data were analyzed by one-way ANVOA Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.05 indicates significance. ^bP < 0.01 vs HCs.