Evolution of hepatitis C virus-specific T cell responses and cytokine production in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with high doses of interferon-alpha
Rev. invest. clín
; Rev. invest. clín;54(1): 41-50, 2002 Jan-Feb.
Article
em En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-332949
Biblioteca responsável:
BR1.1
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the evolution of in vitro T cell response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) Core, E1, E2 and NS3 antigens in 10 patients with chronic hepatitis C, before, during and after a high dose interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy, and to evaluate the influence of IFN-alpha on the in vivo and in vitro production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).METHODS:
T cell response to HCV antigens was evaluated by lymphoproliferation assays. In vivo and in vitro cytokine production was evaluated at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 of IFN-alpha therapy by enzyme immunoassays.RESULTS:
In general, of all HCV antigens tested throughout the follow-up, those belonging to the Core region were the most immunostiumlatory. This observation was valid in IFN-alpha responders as well as IFN-alpha non-responders. The lymphoproliferative response to HCV antigens increased during IFN-alpha therapy. Serum levels of TNF-alpha were significantly increased in HCV patients, and six out of ten patients showed increased IFN-gamma serum levels. A significant decrease of IFN-gamma levels was observed during therapy and the same trend was seen for TNF-alpha. Mitogen-stimulated TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production before therapy did not differ from that of normal controls, however, the cytokine production was reduced at week 4 of therapy, corresponding with a clinical improvement. A return to pretreatment values was observed after 8 weeks of therapy.CONCLUSIONS:
a) Core antigens are the most immunostimulatory HCV antigens at the T cell level in chronic hepatitis C patients; b) High dose IFN-alpha therapy induces an increase in lymphoproliferative response to HCV antigens; c) Serum levels of TNF-alpha are increased in HCV patients; d) High dose IFN-alpha therapy induces a decrease in serum levels of IFN-gamma; e) High dose IFN-alpha therapy induces a transiently decreased mitogen-induced TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production.
Texto completo:
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Índice:
LILACS
Assunto principal:
Antivirais
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Linfócitos T
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Interferon gama
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Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa
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Interferon-alfa
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Antígenos da Hepatite C
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Hepatite C Crônica
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Fatores Imunológicos
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Rev. invest. clín
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
2002
Tipo de documento:
Article