Elevated interleukin-4 expression in severe recurrent hepatitis C virus after liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is usually associated with high levels of hepatic interleukin (IL)-2 and low levels of IL-4 transcripts. HCV frequently recurs after liver transplantation, and its course is accelerated in this setting. We compared in situ expression of IL-2 and IL-4 in transplanted and nontransplanted patients with HCV.


METHODS
A total of 74 liver biopsy specimens were studied; 52 came from transplanted patients, 38 of whom were HCV-positive (17 mild and 21 severe cases of recurrent HCV) and 22 came from nontransplanted patients, 17 of whom were HCV-positive (7 mild and 10 severe cases of HCV). The expression of IL-2 and IL-4 mRNA and IL-4 protein was studied using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical methods, respectively.


RESULTS
IL-2 transcript levels were significantly higher in severe than in mild HCV in both liver graft recipients and nontransplanted patients. However, IL-2 levels were higher in nontransplanted than in transplanted patients. IL-4 transcripts and protein were preferentially detected in graft recipients with severe recurrent HCV.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-4 expression is elevated in severe recurrent HCV and may play a role in the progression of hepatic lesions after liver transplantation.
Dharancy
Sébastien
S
Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire, UPRES 1833, Faculté de Médecine Cochin-Port-Royal, Université Paris 5, Paris, France.
Podevin
Philippe
P
Aoudjehane
Lynda
L
Batteux
Frédéric
F
Rosenberg
Arielle R
AR
Soubrane
Olivier
O
Calmus
Yvon
Y
Conti
Filomena
F
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012008:Recurrence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus