mRNA expression of T-helper 1, T-helper 2 cytokines in autoimmune hepatitis in childhood.
BACKGROUND
In the pathology of autoimmune hepatitis the immunity mechanism of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells was recently evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to measure the mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines obtained from children with autoimmune hepatitis for a better understanding of the mechanism.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with autoimmune hepatitis and seven controls were enrolled. mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells and serum cytokines were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoassay.


RESULTS
Serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were rarely detected. In contrast the IFN-gamma/beta-actin mRNA levels were high.


CONCLUSIONS
Autoimmune hepatitis is a Th1-predominant state, therefore immune modulation therapies that target the control of Th1 cytokines should be used.
Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. hisashi@tokyo-med.ac.jp
Hisashi
H
Kawashima
Naoki
N
Kato
Hiroaki
H
Ioi
Shigeo
S
Nishimata
Chiako
C
Watanabe
Yasuyo
Y
Kashiwagi
Kouji
K
Takekuma
Akinori
A
Hoshika
Leszek
L
Szenborn
Kacprzak
K
Bergman
D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015870:Gene Expression; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma