title: Immunological effects following administration of interferon-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (cHCV) infection.
abstract: The immunological effects of interferon (IFN)-alpha administration were evaluated in 15 patients with cHCV infection. Individuals were treated with 6 MU of lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha three times a week for 6 months and with 3 MU three times a week for an additional 6 months. Patients were divided into responders (12 subjects) and nonresponders (3 subjects), respectively, according to alanine aminotransferase serum levels at the end of treatment. Before therapy (T0), absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD14+ and CD16+ cells were significantly reduced in both groups when compared to normal values. At the same time, all patients displayed a profound decrease of phagocytosis and killing exerted by both polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes (MO). However, MO Killing resulted to be normal in the responder group. With special reference to T cell function, T cell mediated antibacterial activity, using Salmonella typhi as a target, was also significantly reduced. After therapy (T12), in responder patients a significant increase of CD3+, CD4+, CD14+ and CD16+ cell absolute numbers was observed, while phagocytic and T cell functions were still depressed. Among the nonresponders, in two of three patients IFN-alpha administration gave rise to an increase (above normality) of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD14+, CD16+ and CD20+ cell absolute numbers, while in one patient the same markers dramatically dropped below normal range. In two patients, antibacterial activity was significantly augmented by IFN-alpha treatment, whereas in one patient no modification was observed. Finally, in the same patients IFN-alpha did not correct PMN and MO pretreatment deficits.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caradonna
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Satalino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Amati
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cozzolongo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cuppone
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Manghisi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha