title: Effects of IL-12 and IL-18 on HBcAg-specific cytokine production by CD4 T lymphocytes of children with chronic hepatitis B infection.
abstract: The influence of IL-12 and IL-18 was evaluated on hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)-specific cytokine production (IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) by CD4 T lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood of children with chronic hepatitis B. CD4 T cells were isolated from peripheral blood of 20 children with chronic active hepatitis B, cultured for 48h in presence of rHBcAg and of co-stimulators, IL-12 or IL-18 or IL-12+IL-18 or in their absence (control). Production of studied cytokines was examined using the ELISPOT assay. Co-stimulation with IL-12 or IL-18 was found to significantly augment the HBcAg-specific secretion of IFN-gamma. However, the most pronounced stimulatory effect was observed in the presence of IL-12+IL-18 and resulted in peak levels of IFN-gamma production. The obtained results allowed concluding that the anti-HBV activity of Th1 lymphocytes is strongly induced by IL-12+IL-18 and may contribute to viral clearance in children with chronic hepatitis B infection.
authors.affiliation: Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. szkaradkiewicza@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szkaradkiewicz
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jopek
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wysocki
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D020382:Interleukin-18; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma