Chemokine Receptors CXCR3 and CCR6 and Their Ligands in the Liver and Blood of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

We performed a comprehensive analysis of CCR6 and CXCR3 chemokine receptors and their ligands CCL20/MIP-3α, CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP-10, and CXCL11/ITAC in the liver and blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C at different stages of the disease. TaqMan PCR was used to determine mRNA gene expression of chemokines and their receptors in liver specimens, xMAP multiplex analysis was performed to estimate the concentration of chemokines in blood plasma, and fl ow cytofluorometry was used to evaluate CCR6 and CXCR3 expression on peripheral blood lymphocyte populations. In the liver of patients with hepatitis C, mRNA expression of CXCL10, CCR6, and CXCR3 genes increases with fibrosis progression in the liver tissue. In the plasma, concentrations of all studied chemokines increased depending on the stage of liver fibrosis, CCR6 and CXCR3 expression was changed in various lymphocyte populations. Thus, chemokines are involved in the immunopathogenesis and fibrogenesis in chronic viral hepatitis C. The results suggest using these chemokines in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

[Content of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood sera of leptospirosis patients].

AIM: Study the content of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood sera of leptospirosis patients in dynamics of infectious process and the role of these cytokines in the disease immunopathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The content of cytokines in blood sera was determined by a method based on xMAP technology with a standard panel consisting of 9 analytes: TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1Ra, IL-12 (p70), IFN-γ. RESULTS: A significantly increased level of IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α was confirmed and the increased content of MCP-1 in leptospirosis patients compared with practically healthy donors was established for the first time. Correlations between cytokines during leptospirosis were detected. CONCLUSION: The data obtained show that cytokines play an important role in leptospirosis immunopathogenesis.

[Features of population composition of peripheral blood CXCR3-positive lymphocytes in chronic viral hepatitis c patients].

AIM: Quantitative determination ofCXCR3+, CCR5+ and CCR6+ cells in major lymphocyte populations: T-helpers (Th), cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL), natural killers (NK) and T-natural killer cells (TNK), B-lymphocytes in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C (CVHC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Content of lymphocyte populations carrying chemokine receptor CXCR3 was studied, chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR6 were evaluated on T-lymphocytes, in peripheral blood of 19 CVHC patients and 32 conditionally healthy donors. Cell populations were determined by flow cytofluorometry by using various combinations of monoclonal antibodies: for evaluation of Th and CTL (CD3/CD4/CD8/CXCR3/CCR5/CCR6); NK and TNK (CDl6/CD56/CD3/ CXCR3); B-cells (CD 19/CD45/CXCR3). RESULTS: In patients with CVHV compared with healthy donors a significant increase of quantity of CXCR3-positive Th was detected, however the content of CXCR3-positive CTL did not differ in the groups compared; CXCR3+ NK cell content was lower with equal content of CXCR3+ TNK. Analysis of quantity of CXCR3+ B-cells showed an increase of more than 3.5 times in CVHC patients. Significant differences in relative content of Th and CTL carrying CCR5 and CCR6 were not detected despite a non-significant increase of quantity of CCR5+ and CCR6+ Th. CONCLUSION: Content of major lymphocyte populations carrying chemokine receptor CXCR3 changed significantly compared with conditionally healthy donors in peripheral blood of CVHC patients. The increase of quantity of CXCR3-positive B-cells may be associated with infection of these cells by HCV or development of extra-liver manifestations of HVHC.