THF gamma 2 stimulates cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
A recent study indicated that thymic hormones have antiviral effects in human hepatitis B virus infection and woodchuck hepatitis virus infection. These hormones are known to exert immunomodulatory effects on lymphocyte maturation and function; because these are abnormal in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, we have examined the effects of a thymic hormone (THF gamma 2) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. THF gamma 2 (50 or 150 ng/ml) alone was without effect; in the presence of low doses of the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, it had a broad effect in patients and controls. The effect on interleukin-2 production was greater in patients than controls with a significant increase in production at 150 ng/ml for patients alone (p = 0.037). Tumour necrosis factor alpha production was enhanced in all patients and controls, with a greater effect seen at 150 ng/ml THF gamma 2 than 50 ng/ml. There was no effect on interferon gamma production or on the expression of membrane markers of T-cell activation. THF gamma 2 has substantial immunomodulatory activity in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers and in vivo assessment of THF gamma 2 in chronic hepatitis B virus is indicated.
Daniels
H M
HM
Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital, London, U.K.
O'Toole
A
A
Hussein
M J
MJ
Corridori
S
S
Alexander
G J
GJ
Williams
R
R
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D013951:Thymus Hormones; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C064563:thymic humoral factor gamma 2; D007371:Interferon-gamma