Th1/Th2 type cytokines in hepatitis B patients treated with interferon-alpha.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the expression of Th1/Th2 type cytokines and the effect of interferon-alpha therapy.


METHODS
Th1/Th2 type cytokines were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on 23 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with interferon-alpha.


RESULTS
Levels of IFN-gamma in the supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures from the patients with hepatitis B were slightly lower than those of controls (P = 0.07). However, the levels of IL-4 were higher than those of controls (P = 0.01). Cytokines measurements during IFN-alpha treatment showed a trend to decreasing levels of IL-4 at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Levels of IFN-gamma were slightly increased following IFN-alpha treatment (P = 0.09). In patients with a complete response to IFN-alpha, the levels of IFN-gamma were higher at 24 weeks following IFN-alpha treatment than that of pre-treatment (P = 0.04), and the levels of IL-4 decreased markedly at 12 and 24 weeks (P = 0.02, 0.03, respectively). mRNA expression positively correlated with the level of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in the supernatant.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of Th2 type cytokines is predominant in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Interferon-alpha therapy can modulate the balance of Th1/Th2 type cytokines, and this is related to its clinical effect. Levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines could be a predictor of clinical response during Interferon-alpha treatment.
Xing
T
T
South Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Zhang
L
L
Lu
Q
Q
Hou
J
J
Feng
X
X
Luo
K
K
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma