title: The role of interleukin-22 in hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: In this study, we analyzed if IL-22 displays, similar to other IL-10 like cytokines such as IL-28A, antiviral properties in hepatic cells. Using RT-PCR and immunoblotting, we demonstrated that hepatic cell lines and primary hepatocytes express the functional IL-22 receptor complex consisting of IL-22R1 and IL-10R2. Hepatic IL-22 mRNA expression as measured by quantitative PCR was up-regulated in autoimmune and viral hepatitis compared to cholestatic liver diseases, while IL-22 serum levels did not differ significantly between patients with viral hepatitis and normal controls. IL-22 did not significantly change the expression levels of IFN-alpha/-beta and of the antiviral proteins MxA and 2',5'-OAS. Consequently, it had in comparison to IFN-alpha no relevant antiviral activity in in vitro models of HCV replication and infection. Taken together, hepatic IL-22 expression is up-regulated in viral hepatitis but IL-22 does not directly regulate antiviral proteins and has, in contrast to IFN-alpha, no effect on HCV replication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine II, University-Hospital Munich-Grosshadern, University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dambacher
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beigel
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zitzmann
authors.forename: Malte H J
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Heeg
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Göke
authors.forename: Helmut M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Diepolder
authors.forename: Christoph J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Auernhammer
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D053710:Interleukin-10 Receptor beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D053710:Interleukin-10 Receptor beta Subunit; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D000097043:Interleukin-22; C415369:interleukin-22 receptor