Predominant expression of Th1-type cytokines in primary hepatic cancer and adjacent liver tissues.
BACKGROUND
Research has revealed a shift towards Th2 in many types of malignant tumor, but the state of Th1/Th2 is not clear in patients with primary hepatic cancer (PHC). This study was designed to determine the expression of Th1- versus Th2-type cytokines in primary hepatic cancer and the adjacent liver tissue in order to provide evidence for treatment of the Th1/Th2 shift.


METHODS
Samples were collected from 11 patients with PHC. The gene expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using IFN-gamma and IL-2 as Th1-type cytokine genes, and IL-4 and IL-10 as Th2-type cytokine genes.


RESULTS
Th1-type cytokines were expressed in 7/11 PHCs and 9/11 adjacent liver tissues, while Th0 type cytokines occurred in 4/11 PHCs and 2/11 adjacent liver tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
Th1-type cytokines are expressed predominantly in primary hepatic cancer and the adjacent liver tissue.
Qiu
Fa-Bo
FB
Department of Hepatobiliary Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao 266003, China. qiufabo@sina.com.cn
Wu
Li-Qun
LQ
Lu
Yun
Y
Zhang
Shun
S
Zhang
Bing-Yuan
BY
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells
D016207:Cytokines