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.
Kawashima
Hisashi
H
Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. hisashi@tokyo-med.ac.jp
Kato
Naoki
N
Ioi
Hiroaki
H
Nishimata
Shigeo
S
Watanabe
Chiako
C
Kashiwagi
Yasuyo
Y
Takekuma
Kouji
K
Hoshika
Akinori
A
Szenborn
Leszek
L
Bergman
Kacprzak
K
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