title: Possible role of human interleukin-6 and soluble interleukin-6 receptor in hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: Human interleukin-6 has been shown to promote hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, it is not clear whether this influence is the result of a direct interaction between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the HBV envelope proteins or of a rather indirect mechanism. A direct interaction of IL-6 and the preS region of the large envelope protein (L-protein) of HBV has been reported. In this study we assessed the binding of IL-6 and of the IL-6 receptor subunits to the preS region of the L-protein of HBV. Binding of IL-6 and IL-6 receptor subunits sIL-6R and gp130 to preS was assessed by immunoprecipitation with recombinant preS proteins. In patient sera IL-6 and sIL-6R concentrations were analysed with respect to the course of hepatitis B infection during and after interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy. The IL-6 and IL-6 receptor subunits could not be precipitated with recombinant preS proteins. In sera of patients who responded to IFN-alpha therapy by virus elimination, a significant increase in sIL-6R concentration was measured. No increase in sIL-6R levels was seen in patients who did not respond to IFN-alpha. Hence, IL-6 and IL-6 receptor subunits do not bind to preS directly. A possible role for sIL-6R in the elimination of HBV infection is discussed.
authors.affiliation: I. Medizinische Klinik, Abteilung Pathophysiologie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prange
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerken
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rose-John
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012995:Solubility; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011498:Protein Precursors; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C050806:presurface protein 1, hepatitis B surface antigen