[Effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma and IL-10 produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection during IFN-alpha treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma and IL-10 production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in chronic hepatitis B virus infection patients during IFN-alpha treatment.


METHODS
Before and after IFN-alpha treatment of 3 months and 6 months, PBMC of 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection were collected and cultured in vitro in the culture fluid containing PHA (100 microg/ml), HBcAg (1 microg/ml), or HBeAg (1 microg/ml) for 48 h under the condition of the presence or absence of IL-12 (10 ng/ml). Then the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 were determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
There were 12 responders and 8 nonresponders to IFN-alpha treatment. In the responders, the enhancing effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma production was significantly greater after IFN-alpha treatment than before the treatment. The production of IL-10 was suppressed in the presence of IL-12 after 3 months and 6 months of IFN-alpha treatment. In the same treatment time, the level of IFN-gamma in the presence of IL-12 was significantly higher than that in the absence of IL-12. To the nonresponders, the enhancing effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma production was also significantly increased after IFN-alpha treatment. Moreover, in the same treatment time, the level of IFN-gamma in the presence of IL-12 was significantly higher than that in the absence of IL-12.


CONCLUSIONS
The enhancing effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma production of PBMC in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection is increased during IFN-alpha treatment. IFN-alpha and IL-12 may enhance the efficacy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Wang
Shaoyang
S
Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou 350003, China.
Lin
Yumei
Y
Ma
Weimin
W
Zhang
Baohua
B
Qi
Shaoran
S
Lan
Fenghua
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma