Soluble (s) CD14 and plasmatic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in patients with chronic hepatitis C before and after treatment with interferon (IFN)-alpha.
CDI4 is a monocyte/polymorphonuclear cell receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-LPS Binding Protein (LBP), which mediates most of the toxic effects exerted by such a bacterial component in the host. Here, we provide evidence that sCD14 and interferon (IFN)-gamma serum levels are significantly higher in chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients than those detected in normal donors. On the other hand, CD4+/CD8+ antibacterial activity is depressed, thus facilitating entry of bacteria into the host. Of note, all these immune parameters are not modified by in vivo IFN-alpha administration over a period of one year. Finally, after 12 months of IFN-alpha treatment number of CH-C patients with detectable levels of plasmatic LPS increased, thus indicating a continuous release of LPS into the host and also suggesting a putative pathogenetic role for sCD14 LPS-LBP complex in subjects affected by CH-C virus infection.
Jirillo
E
E
I.R.C.C.S. S. de Bellis, Laboratory of Immunopathology, Castellana Grotte (Bari).
Amati
L
L
Caradonna
L
L
Greco
B
B
Cozzolongo
R
R
Cuppone
R
R
Piazzolla
G
G
Caccavo
D
D
Antonaci
S
S
Manghisi
O G
OG
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000097:blood*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides