Immune response of Th17-associated cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection causes severe cellular immune dysfunction. Here, we investigated the production of Th17-associated cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of untreated patients with HCV, patients presenting an early virologic response (EVR) after 12weeks of treatment with interferon-α plus ribavirin with or without HCV protease inhibitors, and patients who were nonresponders to HCV therapy. PBMCs were stimulated with HCV core and nonstructural antigens, and the production of Th17-associated cytokines was measured with a Milliplex MAP immunoassay. Core-stimulated PBMCs from both untreated and nonresponder patients produced interleukin (IL)-17A, and vigorous production of IL-17A in response to NS3 antigen was only verified in the untreated group. Nonresponder patients also produced IL-17F after core antigen stimulation. IL-21 production was unaltered in the three groups of patients, whereas IL-17E and IL-22 were not detected. The production of Th17 cytokines by cells from patients showing an EVR was insignificant. IL-17A and IL-17F levels were not correlated with alanine aminotransferase levels or viremia. However, advanced fibrosis was associated with higher IL-17A production in T0 cells stimulated with core antigen. Untreated patients with HCV and patients who were nonresponders to antiviral treatment differed in their PBMC immune responses of Th17-associated cytokines. The early virological response to antiviral treatment dramatically decreased Th17 immune responses to HCV antigens.

Higher level of IL-6 in Jaccoud's arthropathy secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus: a perspective for its treatment?

Jaccoud's arthropathy (JA) is a condition characterized clinically by 'reversible' joint deformities along with an absence of articular erosions on a plain radiograph. The main clinical entity associated with JA is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a prevalence of around 5 %. The aim of the present study was to compare the inflammatory markers including cytokine levels in blood of SLE patients with and without JA. Patients with diagnosis of SLE as defined by ACR criteria were screened and divided in two groups, one with JA and one control group without JA. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), complement C3 and C4 levels antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA antibodies and serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, IL-22 and TNF-α were determined in all patients. Eighty female patients with SLE, 18 (22.5 %) with JA and 62 (77.5 %) without JA, were included in this study. JA patients had higher disease duration (p = 0.008), ESR (p < 0.001), CRP level (p = 0.002), ANA titer (p < 0.001) and dsDNA antibody level (p = 0.009). The serum levels of IL-2, IL-10, IL-21, IL-22 and TNF-α were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05), but the level of IL-6 was higher in JA group (p < 0.001). The serum level of IL-6 might have a correlation with JA secondary to SLE.