Intrahepatic and peripheral T-cell responses in genotype 1b hepatitis C virus-infected patients with persistently normal and elevated aminotransferase levels.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the cytokine responses in liver and serum differ in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal and high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.


METHODS
Thirty-three (16 with normal ALT level as group 1 and 17 with elevated ALT level as group 2) patients infected with genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV) were examined. Liver infiltrating lymphomononuclear cells (LILMCs) were isolated from liver biopsy by collagenase type 1 and stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and interleukin 2 (IL-2). IL-10, IL-12, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined in serum and LILMCs by ELISA.


RESULTS
Serum cytokine levels were similar in both groups (P>0.05). Stimulated IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels in LILMCs were increased in both groups. IL-12 and IL-10 levels stimulated with IL-2 were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.023). Histological activity index (HAI) and stage had a negative correlation with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels in group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine response may regress inflammatory and biochemical activity. Progression of histological abnormalities in persons with elevated ALT probably depends on insufficient Th2 cytokine response, which does not balance Th1 cytokine response.
Akyüz
Filiz
F
Department of Gastroenterohepatology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. filizakyuz@hotmail.com
Polat
Nuray
N
Kaymakoglu
Sabahattin
S
Aksoy
Nevzat
N
Demir
Kadir
K
Beşişik
Fatih
F
Badur
Selim
S
Cakaloglu
Yilmaz
Y
Okten
Atilla
A
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D000410:Alanine Transaminase