Th1/Th2 Cytokine Production in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection / 대한진단검사의학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the immunoregulatory mechanism of Th1/Th2 cells in patients with the Hepatitis C virus infection, which is characterized by persistence and chronic progression, Th1 cytokine (IFN-, IL-12, IL-2) and Th2 cytokine (IL-4) responses were investigated. METHODS: Th1 cytokine (IFN-, IL-12, and IL-2) and Th2 cytokine (IL-4) for serum levels, spontaneous production of peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) and PHA-stimulated production of PBMC were estimated by the ELISA method in 19 patients with chronic Hepatitis C (CH), 12 with cirrhosis of the liver (LC) and 12 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The IFN-gamma serum levels increased significantly in the CH and LC compared with the healthy controls (P<0.05). The spontaneous IFN-gamma production of PBMC increased significantly in patients with CH and LC compared with the healthy controls (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). The PHA stimulated IFN-gamma production of PBMC decreased significantly in chronic liver disease (CLD) compared with the healthy controls according to production ability. The IL-12 for serum and spontaneous IL-12 production of PBMC fell under the detectable level. PHA-stimulated IL-12 production decreased significantly in the CH compared with the healthy controls (P<0.01). The IFN-gamma showed positive correlations with the lymphocyte counts and IL-12 levels in CLD. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Th1 immune response for serum and spontaneous production in CH and LC was normal or increased, the Th1 immune response for PHA stimulation decreased or showed a low-tendency. It is suggested that the cytokine imbalance in the CLD may contribute to the persistence of HCV infection; however, it was not correlated with chronic progression.