[Determination of serum cytokines in individuals with HCV infection].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.


METHODS
Serum T-helper lymphocyte (Th1) cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) were measured by ELISA in 18 individuals with chronic HCV infection 10 persons of chronic HBV infection and 11 normal persons.


RESULTS
IL-2 (P <0.05), IL-4 and IL-10 (P <0.025, P <0.001) were significantly increased in HCV infected hosts as compared to 11 normal controls, the production of Th2 cytokines was more predominant.


CONCLUSIONS
An enhanced Th2 responses is present in HCV infection, which may he responsible for the chronicity of HCV infection.
Fan
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X
Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Hunan Medical University, Changsha 410008, China.
Liu
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W
Li
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma