Diminished CD4+ T cell surface CCR5 expression in alcoholic patients

Abstract

Aims: The C-C chemokine receptors, particularly the CCR5, appeared to play an important role in T cell-mediated inflammatory reactions. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on the in vivo CCR5 expression. Methods: Fourteen alcoholic men hospitalized for a detoxification programme were prospectively included and compared with 49 age-matched controls. Results: The CD4+ T cell surface CCR5 densities were drastically lower in alcoholic patients [mean, 5319 molecules/cell; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4477-6162] as compared with CCR5 densities of the controls (10 944 molecules/cell [CI 9929-11959]; P < 10-4). Conclusions: Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with a significant decrease of CCR5 expression, which could favour Th1 /Th2 imbalance. © Medical Council on Alcohol 2004; all rights reserved.