title: Modifications of the immune responsiveness in patients with hepatitis C virus infection following treatment with IFN-alpha/ribavirin.
abstract: The balance between T helper (h)1 and Th2 responsiveness seems to represent a key event in the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In particular, Th1 cytokines [interleukin (IL-2) and interferon (IFN-gamma)] have been demonstrated to mediate the antiviral immune response. Serum levels of Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) as well as of Th2 products (IL-4 and IL-10) were determined in a group of HCV-positive patients before and after treatment with IFN-alpha and Ribavirin (RIB). Results indicate that responder patients exhibited increased levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10, while this enhancement was not observed in non-responder patients. In this respect, the major effect exerted by the combined therapy with IFN-alpha/RIB could be represented by the attainment of a re-equilibrium between inflammatory (Th1) and antiinflammatory (Th2) mechanisms. In this framework, according to current literature, novel therapeutical approaches to treat HCV infection are represented by administration of recombinant IL-2 and IL-10.
authors.affiliation: Laboratories of Immunopathology, Scientific Institute for Digestive Diseases, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Amati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caradonna
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Magrone
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mastronardi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cuppone
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cozzolongo
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Manghisi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caccavo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
mesh_terms: D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D012254:Ribavirin; D007371:Interferon-gamma