Th1 and Th2 cytokines are elevated in HCV-infected SVR(-) patients treated with interferon-alpha.
Interferon-alpha-based treatment is a standard therapy to cure hepatitis C virus-infected patients. However, the reasons for the failure of interferon-alpha treatment in some patients have not been fully elucidated. We evaluated the differences in the expression levels of various cytokines among patients with and without sustained viral response (SVR). We found that the chemokines (MIG and IP-10) and inflammation-related cytokines (IL-6) were transiently elevated in patients with SVR(+) before interferon-alpha treatment and in the early phase of treatment (week 2), indicating that these cytokines may be related to viral clearance. Furthermore, higher serum levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor, and IFN-gamma) were observed in SVR(-) than in SVR(+) patients, indicating that they may be associated with ineffective anti-HCV immune response. Our data revealed that the patterns of cytokines varied greatly between SVR(+) and SVR(-) patients before and after IFN-alpha treatment.
Wan
Lei
L
Department of Medical Genetics and Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC. leiwan@mail.cmuh.org.tw
Kung
Yung-Jen
YJ
Lin
Ying-Ju
YJ
Liao
Chiu-Chu
CC
Sheu
Jim J C
JJ
Tsai
Yuhsin
Y
Lai
Hsueh-Chou
HC
Peng
Cheng-Yuan
CY
Tsai
Fuu-Jen
FJ
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha