Changes of soluble CD26 and CD30 levels correlate with response to interferon plus ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND
Clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is attributed to host cellular immune responses, in which T helper cells play a critical role. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to study the serial changes of serum soluble markers released from T helper 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) and their correlations with treatment responses in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving interferon-alpha plus ribavirin for 24 weeks.


METHODS
Serum markers (soluble CD26 and CD30 levels) of T helper cells were quantified before and 6 months after combination therapy in 33 chronic hepatitis C patients and in 20 healthy controls.


RESULTS
Compared to healthy controls, chronic hepatitis C patients had significantly lower serum soluble CD26 levels before (140.4 +/- 63.9 ng/mL vs 200.6 +/- 60.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) and after (115.9 +/- 32.9 ng/mL vs 200.6 +/- 60.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) combination therapy. The level was even lower in those with non-sustained virologic response (non-SVR; 139.0 +/- 50.9 ng/mL vs 117.7 +/- 40.3 ng/mL, P = 0.039). In contrast, soluble CD30 levels at 6 months after combination therapy were significantly lower in patients with SVR than those with non-SVR (6.4 +/- 3.5 U/mL vs 10.4 +/- 5.4 U/mL, P = 0.021).


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic hepatitis C patients have a weak Th1 response as reflected by lower soluble CD26 levels and the levels are even lower in non-sustained responders. In sharp contrast, downregulation of Th2 response with serial changes of soluble CD30 level is associated with successful treatment of HCV infection.
Yang
Sheng-Shun
SS
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Fu
Lin-Shien
LS
Chang
Chi-Sen
CS
Yeh
Hong-Zen
HZ
Chen
Gran-Hum
GH
Kao
Jia-Horng
JH
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4