Effectiveness of interferon-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C is associated with the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA in the liver.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between interferon-alpha receptor mRNA in the liver and the response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
Interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using liver biopsies from 40 patients, comprising 20 responders and 20 non-responders to subsequent interferon therapy.


RESULTS
The amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was significantly larger in interferon-responders (0.72+/-0.12) than non-responders (0.26+/-0.08) (p<0.01). Regardless of the response to interferon, histological activity index scores and the amount of HCV-RNA showed significant inverse correlation to the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA, whereas the HCV-RNA genotype was not associated with the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA. Logistic analysis and multiple regression analysis showed that the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA was significantly associated with the efficacy of interferon (p=0.0275), but not with fibrosis of the liver (p= 0.2726).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the amount of interferon-alpha receptor mRNA is an important factor determining the response to interferon, and may be a new predictor of interferon response in chronic hepatitis C.
Fukuda
R
R
2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Shimane Medical University, Japan.
Ishimura
N
N
Kushiyama
Y
Y
Moriyama
N
N
Ishihara
S
S
Nagasawa
S
S
Miyake
T
T
Niigaki
M
M
Satoh
S
S
Sakai
S
S
Akagi
S
S
Watanabe
M
M
Fukumoto
S
S
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000199:Actins; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017931:DNA Primers; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta