Expression of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines responding to HBsAg and HBxAg in chronic hepatitis B patients.
The cytokine pattern on viral antigen recognition is believed to exert a profound influence on the resolution of viral infections and viral clearance. This study was initiated to investigate whether a cytokine imbalance oriented toward Th2 type response plays a role in chronic hepatitis B. Cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with chronic hepatitis B were analysed by RT-PCR. Upon HBsAg stimulation, expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 was detected in 41%, 8%, 41%, and 50% of the patients, respectively. Among these cytokines, the expression of IFN-gamma was associated with high levels of serum AST/ALT. However, we could not prove that Th2 type cytokines had a protective effect on hepatocytes. Upon HBxAg stimulation, there was no recognizable association of cytokine patterns with AST/ALT levels. In conclusion, production of a Th1 cytokine, IFN-gamma, by HBsAg-reactive cells was associated with hepatocyte damage in chronic hepatitis B, while no counteracting effect of Th2 cytokines produced by those cells was observed.
Lee
M
M
Department of Microbiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. millina@madang.ajou.ac.kr
Lee
M
M
Lee
S K
SK
Son
M
M
Cho
S W
SW
Park
S
S
Kim
H I
HI
D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
D016207:Cytokines; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein; D007371:Interferon-gamma