In vitro cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to HCV core antigen stimulation during interferon-beta treatment and its relevance to sCD8 and sCD30.
We investigated the responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to hepatitis C virus core protein in ten patients with chronic hepatitis C during interferon (IFN)-beta treatment to determine if the modulation of the immune reaction to hepatitis C virus by IFN treatment is associated with the viral clearance. Interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and interferon-gamma in the supernatant of the patients' PBMC co-cultured with the HCV core antigen-presenting autologous PBMCs were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of soluble CD (sCD) 8 and sCD30 in these patients were also measured by ELISA. The production of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma by PBMCs of sustained responders (SRs) increased after IFN-treatment, although it did not reach a significant level. Interleukin-10 was detected only in non-responders (NRs) at 0 and 4 weeks after the start of IFN treatment. Serum sCD8 level increased significantly in SR with IFN treatment. A close correlation between the serum sCD8 levels and interferon-gamma levels in the supernatant at week 8 was observed in SR. These results suggest that IFN treatment potentiates the cellular immune reaction against HCV core protein more efficiently in SR than in NR.
Izuma
M
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aobaku, 980 8574, Sendai, Japan
Kobayashi
K
Shiina
M
Ueno
Y
Ishii
M
Shimosegawa
T
Toyota
T
Kakimi
K
Miyazawa
M