Induction of interleukin-12 production in chronic hepatitis C virus infection correlates with the hepatocellular damage.
Interleukin (IL)-12 plays an essential role in host defense against infectious diseases. Serum IL-12 concentration and blood mononuclear cell production with or without specific interferon (IFN)-gamma priming were investigated in 65 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients and 25 healthy donors. HCV patients had higher serum IL-12 levels (P = .004) and produced higher amounts after IFN-gamma priming (P < .001) than donors. A subset of patients did not produce IL-12: They had lower serum levels (P = .032) and showed signs of liver piecemeal necrosis less frequently (P = .011). Patients with greater liver necroinflammatory activity produced more IL-12 than patients with minimal or mild activity and donors (P < .01). During IFN-alpha therapy for 16 HCV patients, individuals with end-of-treatment alanine aminotransferase normalization and clearance of viremia had higher serum levels and produced more IL-12 than those who did not (P < .05). These results suggest a role for IL-12 in the immunopathogenesis and outcome of HCV infection.
Quiroga
J A
JA
Department of Hepatology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
Martín
J
J
Navas
S
S
Carreño
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000410:Alanine Transaminase