Th1/Th2 Cytokine Production in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Kim, Hyung Hoi; Lee, Eun Yup; Son, Han Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the immunoregulatory mechanism of Th1/Th2 cells in patients with the Hepatitis C virus infection, which is characterized by persistence and chronic progression, Th1 cytokine (IFN-, IL-12, IL-2) and Th2 cytokine (IL-4) responses were investigated.
METHODS
Th1 cytokine (IFN-, IL-12, and IL-2) and Th2 cytokine (IL-4) for serum levels, spontaneous production of peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) and PHA-stimulated production of PBMC were estimated by the ELISA method in 19 patients with chronic Hepatitis C (CH), 12 with cirrhosis of the liver (LC) and 12 healthy subjects.
RESULTS
The IFN-gamma serum levels increased significantly in the CH and LC compared with the healthy controls (P<0.05). The spontaneous IFN-gamma production of PBMC increased significantly in patients with CH and LC compared with the healthy controls (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). The PHA stimulated IFN-gamma production of PBMC decreased significantly in chronic liver disease (CLD) compared with the healthy controls according to production ability. The IL-12 for serum and spontaneous IL-12 production of PBMC fell under the detectable level. PHA-stimulated IL-12 production decreased significantly in the CH compared with the healthy controls (P<0.01). The IFN-gamma showed positive correlations with the lymphocyte counts and IL-12 levels in CLD.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the Th1 immune response for serum and spontaneous production in CH and LC was normal or increased, the Th1 immune response for PHA stimulation decreased or showed a low-tendency. It is suggested that the cytokine imbalance in the CLD may contribute to the persistence of HCV infection; however, it was not correlated with chronic progression.