Semiquantitative analysis of intrahepatic cytokine mRNAs in chronic hepatitis C.
In order to characterize intrahepatic cytokine production, the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-2, -4, and -10 and interferon (IFN)-gamma were semiquantitatively determined by reverse-transcription competitive polymerase chain reaction in liver specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis C (n = 23), chronic hepatitis B (n = 9), or primary biliary cirrhosis (n = 12) and normal liver (control) specimens (n = 12). IL-4 mRNA was undetectable. Similar IL-10 mRNA levels were detected in all samples studied, including the controls. Mean IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA levels were elevated in chronic inflammatory liver disease. IL-2 mRNA levels were similar in all 3 patient groups, but intrahepatic IFN-gamma mRNA levels were significantly higher in chronic hepatitis C than in chronic hepatitis B or primary biliary cirrhosis patients. This predominance of IFN-gamma may indicate a lower susceptibility of hepatitis C virus to the antiviral effects of this cytokine. The presence of IL-10 in normal liver may impair the induction of antiviral immune responses.
Dumoulin
F L
FL
Department of General Internal Medicine and Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Germany.
Bach
A
A
Leifeld
L
L
El-Bakri
M
M
Fischer
H P
HP
Sauerbruch
T
T
Spengler
U
U
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D000199:Actins; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases