title: Production of interferon alpha and interferon gamma by peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: Peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were studied for their capacity to produce interferon (IFN) alpha or IFN gamma. Yields of IFN alpha in leukocyte cultures stimulated with influenza A virus or human leukemic cells were significantly lower than those obtained from healthy controls. Production of IFN gamma in response to induction with protein A of Staphylococcus aureus was also significantly diminished. Defects of IFN production in leukocyte cultures showed no correlation with active viral replication or the degree of severity of HBV-associated liver disease. The demonstration of partial defects of endogenous IFN production provides a rationale for using IFN replacement therapy in patients with chronic HBV infection.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D007371:Interferon-gamma