血清Th1/Th2细胞因子水平与慢性丙型肝炎临床及干扰素疗效关系的研究

目的 探讨血清Th1和Th2细胞因子水平与慢性丙型肝炎患者病情进展及干扰素疗效的关系.方法 血清细胞因子检测应用ELISA法,HCV基因分型应用直接测序法,HCVRNA载量采用荧光定量PCR法.结果 慢性丙型肝炎患者血清IL-2和TGF-β含量明显低于健康对照组,IL-5含量明显高于后者;血清IL-6含量与ALT水平呈正相关,与RNA载量呈负相关;HCV基因型1型患者IL-6含量明显高于2型,2a型IL-2含量低于2b型;随着感染时间的延长,血清IL-2呈下降趋势,IL-6呈升高趋势,而TGF-β则先升高之后逐渐下降.干扰素治疗应答组和无应答组治疗前血清细胞因子水平均差异无统计学意义,但应答组治疗结束时IFN-γ含量较治疗前明显升高.结论 慢性丙型肝炎患者存在Th1/Th2细胞因子失衡并与临床表现相关;治疗前血清Th1/Th2细胞因子水平不能对疗效进行预测,干扰素诱导的Th1细胞优势反应与持续应答有关.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者HCV HVR1准种异质性与干扰素疗效关系的研究

目的：研究HCV HVR1准种异质性与干扰素疗效以及与HCV RNA载量之间的关系，为临床选择应用干扰素抗病毒治疗适应症及预测疗效提供理论依据。方法：采用核苷酸序列测定法进行HCV基因分型；分别采用单链构象多态性聚合酶链反应法（SSCP）及克隆测序法进行HVR1准种异质性检测；采用荧光特异性PCR法进行HCV RNA载量检测。结果：14例1b型慢性丙肝患者干扰素治疗前5例为SSCP低复杂性（SSCP条带数≤3），9例为高复杂性（SSCP条带数＞3），干扰素治疗应答组SSCP条带数明显少于无应答组。1b型患者中无应答组HVR1变异株的数目（准种数）和基因的差异性（每个基因位点的平均变异率）均明显高于应答组。HVR1准种异质性程度与HCV RNA含量无正相关关系。结论：感染HCV基因型1b型的慢性丙型肝炎患者HVR1准种异质性程度越高对干扰素无应答的可能性越大。HVR1准种的复杂性程度与HCV RNA含量无关，是预测干扰素疗效的一个独立因素。     

67例慢性丙型肝炎治疗过程及随访中血清ALT、病毒载量及肝纤维化指标的变化

目的 观察聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎过程中肝功能、病毒复制及肝纤维化指标的改变情况.方法 检测67例慢性丙型肝炎患者在干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗开始（0周）、结束（48周）和停药12周（60周）时血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、丙肝病毒核糖核酸（HCV RNA）、透明质酸（HA）、Ⅲ型前胶原肽（PCⅢ）、Ⅳ型胶原（Ⅳ-C）和层粘连蛋白（LN）水平.结果 治疗后完全应答组（CR-S,43/67） ALT、HCV RNA及血清4项纤维化指标均显著下降（P ＜0.05或P＜0.01）,部分应答组（CR-R,13/67）和无应答组（NR,11/67） ALT、HCV RNA及血清4项纤维化指标变化不明显,反跳甚至更高.结论 聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎约65％患者完全应答,随着肝细胞炎症的改善,病毒RNA滴度、肝纤维化指标水平明显下降,表明干扰素联合利巴韦林能抑制HCV RNA复制,调节机体免疫功能,减轻肝脏炎症反应,改善肝功能,减少肝纤维化.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者丙型肝炎病毒NS5A区序列与干扰素疗效的关系

目的　探讨上海地区丙型肝炎病毒 (HCV) 1b亚型慢性感染者的血清HCV非结构基因5A(NS5A)与干扰素 (IFN)疗效的关系。方法　收集上海地区 2 4例HCV1b慢性感染者在干扰素治疗前后及随访过程中的血清标本 ,定量检测治疗前血清HCVRNA ,用逆转录 聚合酶链反应方法扩增NS5A的干扰素敏感决定区 (ISDR)基因并进行测序和分析。另扩增干扰素应答类型不同的 3例患者治疗前后共 5株HCV病毒的NS5A全长序列 ,测序后作种系发生树分析及蛋白二级结构预测。结果　治疗前血清HCVRNA的定量结果显示 ,持续应答组的病毒滴度 (平均滴度 4 50× 1 0 4copies ml)明显低于复发组和无应答组 (平均滴度 1 82× 1 0 7copies ml)。 2 4例慢性丙型肝炎患者干扰素治疗前血清HCV的ISDR氨基酸序列与抗干扰素的HCV J株比较 ,1 3例为野生型 ,1 1例为中间型 ,无突变型。 6例完全应答者 3例感染的是野生型株 ,另 3例感染的是中间型病毒株。 5株HCV病毒的NS5A全长序列种系发生树显示 ,3种不同应答类型株在种系发生上分属 3个组别 ,无应答株与抗干扰素的HCV J株关系相近被归为 1组。蛋白质二级结构预测显示 ,上述病毒株NS5A蛋白在二级结构方面基本相似 ,仅在 2 2 55～ 2 2 89范围内有明显不同 ,这一区域与PKR结合域部分重叠。结论　HCVNS5A基因     

丙型肝炎病毒准种多样性与病毒血症水平、疾病活动度及干扰素疗效的关系

目的　了解丙型肝炎病毒 (HCV)准种变异与病毒血症水平、疾病活动度及干扰素疗效的关系。方法　采用针对HCVE2高变区 1 (HVR1 )的单链构象多态性分析法 (SSCP)对 68例慢性丙型肝炎患者进行HCV准种检测 ,分析准种数目与HCVRNA、ALT、AST水平及肝组织活动指数 (HAI)的相关性。对其中 48例给予干扰素治疗 ,分析准种数目对干扰素应答效果的影响。结果　 61例HVR1SSCP阳性 ,HCV准种数目为 (6 2± 2 4)条。准种数量与HCVRNA水平显著相关 (P <0 0 1 ) ,与ALT、AST及HAI无明显相关 (P >0 0 5)。干扰素治疗患者中 ,43例HVR1阳性 ,持续应答者治疗前HCV准种数量 (3 3± 1 2 ,n =1 1 )显著少于获得治疗终点应答 (ETR)伴复发者 (6 3± 2 2 ,n =1 2 ,P <0 0 5)或无应答者 (8 0± 3 3 ,n=2 0 ,P <0 0 1 )。治疗结束时 ,干扰素组仍有 1 6例检测出HCV准种 ,但准种条数降为 (3 4± 1 2 )条 ,与未接受干扰素治疗病例的准种数目 (6 8± 2 5)相比差异有显著性 ,P <0 0 1 ) ,且其中 1 0例准种模式发生了改变。结论　HCV准种多样性可引起较高的病毒血症水平 ,但与疾病活动度无关 ;准种数目可作为预测慢性丙型肝炎干扰素疗效的指标。     

IL-18和IL-10在慢性丙型肝炎抗病毒疗效中的早期预测作用

目的观察慢性丙型肝炎患者干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗过程中血清白细胞介素-18（IL-18）和白细胞介素-10（IL-10）水平的变化,探讨它们在慢性丙型肝炎抗病毒疗效中的早期预测作用。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测30例正常人．82例慢性丙型肝炎患者抗病毒治疗前、治疗4周、治疗24周血清中IL-18和IL-10的水平．同时检测肝功能和HCVRNA（定量PCR法）。结果慢性丙型肝炎患者治疗前血清IL-18和IL-10的水平显著高于正常人（P〈0．01）,其值与谷丙转氨酶（ALT）活性呈显著正相关。抗病毒有效者,在不同时间点血清IL-18和IL—10的水平均较治疗前显著下降（P〈0．05）,其中,完全应答组细胞因子水平治疗前后改变更显著．而无效者改变不明显。结论IL-18和IL-10在慢性丙型肝炎发病中起一定作用,早期检测IL—18和IL-10的水平对干扰素联合利巴韦林抗病毒的疗效预测有重要意义。     

丙型肝炎病毒血清型对慢性丙型肝炎干扰素抗病毒疗效影响的研究

目的研究丙型肝炎病毒血清型对慢性丙型肝炎于扰素抗病毒疗效的影响。方法对慢性丙型肝炎患者的血清进行ALT检测，采用Cobas amplicor monitor test，version 2．0（v2．0）试剂进行HCVRNA定量和Abbott公司的Murex HCV Serotyping 1-6 Assay试剂进行HCV血清学分型检测。对慢性丙型肝炎患者进行聚乙二醇于扰素a-2a（派罗欣）与罗荛愫（Roferon—A）治疗24周和24周随访结束的生化指标和病毒学应答进行观察，分析不同HCV血清型患者在抗病毒治疗后生化和病毒学应答的差异。结果98例患者共检出血清6型2例、5型1例、4型1例、3型10例、2型23例和1型44例，仍有17例未能分出血清型。派罗欣治疗组24周治疗结束时各血清型和未分型组之间的ALT复常率和病毒应答率无差异，而48周随访结束血清非1型的ALT复常率（76．2％）和持续病毒应答率（66．7％）高于血清1型，血清1型ALT复常率和持续病毒应答率分别为27.3％和27．3％，差异有统计学意义（P=0．035）。罗荛愫组末分型组、血清1型和非1型之间24周治疗结束时和随访结束时的ALT复常率和病毒学应答率均无差异。结论在6个月的IFN抗病毒疗程时，HCV血清型仅在派罗欣治疗组影响慢性丙型肝炎抗病毒治疗的持续病毒应答率。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗高病毒载量1b基因型丙型肝炎患者无病毒学应答的预测因素分析

目的 探讨聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗高病毒载量1b基因型HCV患者无病毒学应答的预测因素.方法 选取于2010年2月至2014年12月我院接受的聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗的HCV基因1b型感染的慢性HCV初治患者72例.治疗3周后检测病毒学应答状态,无应答组患者23例,有应答组患者49例.回顾性统计患者的一般临床资料及相关指标,并做统计学分析.结果 有应答组患者HCV病毒RNA水平及HCV病毒核心抗原水平均明显下降,在第1天到第14天的每个时间点上两组比较差异均具有统计学意义(P ＜0.001).最高的HCV病毒RNA水平HCV病毒核心抗原水平曲线下面积均在第2周发生.第2周HCV病毒RNA消耗及耗损准确性均最高,其准确性与白细胞介素-28B minor+C区氨基酸70替代突变的准确性一致.结论 从治疗开始后2周内的病毒动力学分析,特别是IL-28B基因多态性和病毒突变,2周时的病毒应答情况是最有效的无病毒学应答的预测因素.因此,在2周时病毒下降有可能作为重要的预测指标.     

慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者外周血T细胞γ干扰素和白细胞介素4的水平变化

目的研究慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染过程中外周血T细胞表达细胞因子的调节作用。方法 60例慢性HBV感染者分为免疫耐受期组、免疫清除期组和非活动期组,20例健康人群作为对照组。另收集21例乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBe Ag)阳性的慢性乙型肝炎患者,进行恩替卡韦治疗6个月。全自动生化分析仪检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)水平,PCR法检测HBV DNA载量,流式细胞术检测T细胞γ干扰素(IFN-γ)和白细胞介素4(IL-4)水平。结果慢性HBV感染者的外周血CD4~+T细胞和CD8~+T细胞的IFN-γ水平与HBV DNA载量呈反比,IFN-γ/IL-4比率与HBV DNA载量和血清ALT水平均呈反比。此外,从免疫耐受期到非活动病毒携带期,T细胞的IFN-γ水平逐渐增加、IL-4水平逐渐降低,且与对照组相比,免疫耐受期患者的T细胞表达IL-4增加且IFN-γ减少,到非活动携带期其细胞因子表达逐渐恢复。慢性乙型肝炎患者经恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗后,血清HBV DNA载量和ALT水平均明显降低,同时其外周血CD8~+T细胞的IFN-γ水平及IFN-γ/IL-4比率均明显增加。结论慢性HBV感染过程中,外周血T细胞的IFN-γ和IL-4发挥双向调节作用,与恩替卡韦抗病毒疗效相关。     

骆驼奶对慢性乙型肝炎患者免疫应答的影响

目的:研究骆驼奶对慢性乙型肝炎患者免疫应答的影响并探讨其可能的机制.方法:应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测干预喝骆驼奶1年的44例慢性乙型肝炎患者、未采取任何干预措施1年的62例慢性乙型肝炎患者、 20例健康正常对照人3部分人群血清中白细胞介素- 4(IL- 4)、γ干扰素(IFN-γ),同时检测患者血清HBV-DNA、乙肝病毒血清标志物、 ALT及观察其临床疗效.结果:喝骆驼奶组患者血清中Th1类细胞因子IFN-γ的水平(19.33±5.63)高于未喝骆驼奶组(15.10±4.34),P<0.05;Th2类细胞因子IL- 4的水平(29.79±1.20)低于未喝骆驼奶组(48.90±4.30),P <0.01,两者均接近于正常对照组( P >0.05).喝骆驼奶组患者的血清HBV-DNA转阴率90.91%(40/44),未喝骆驼奶组患者的血清HBV-DNA转阴率3.23%(2/62)差异有统计学意义( P <0.01).喝骆驼奶组患者血清HBsAg转阴率 54.55%(24/44),未喝骆驼奶组转阴率1.61%(1/62),差异有统计学意义( P <0.01).喝骆驼奶组患者的ALT均转为正常44(100.00%),未喝骆驼奶组ALT转为正常者7例 (11.29%),差异有统计学意义( P <0.01).结论:骆驼奶通过调节Th1和Th2细胞因子的表达,纠正失衡的Th1/Th2的细胞因子网络,增强细胞免疫及调节免疫功能,抑制病毒DNA复制,促进慢性乙型肝炎患者康复.     

Combined impact of hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α polymorphisms on serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Brazilian HCV-infected patients

We investigated the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and host cytokine gene polymorphisms and serum cytokine levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Serum IL-6, TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17A levels were measured in 67 HCV patients (68.2% genotype 1 [G1]) and 47 healthy controls. The HCV patients had higher IL-6, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17A levels than the controls. HCV G1 patients had higher IL-2 and IFN-γ levels than G2 patients. The -174IL6G>C, -308TNFαG>A, and -1082IL10A>G variants were similarly distributed in both groups. However, HCV patients with the -174IL6GC variant had higher IL-2 and IFN-γ levels than patients with the GG and CC variants. Additionally, HCV patients with the -308TNFαGG genotype had higher IL-17A levels than patients with the AG genotype, whereas patients with the -1082IL10GG variant had higher IL-6 levels than patients with the AA and AG variants. A significant proportion of HCV patients had high levels of both IL-2 and IFN-γ. The subgroup of HCV patients with the G1/IL6CG/TNFαGG association displayed the highest proportions of high producers of IL-2 and IFN-γ whereas the subgroup with the G1/TNFαGG profile showed high proportions of high producers of IL-6 and IL-17A. HCV patients with other HCV/cytokine genotype associations showed no particular cytokine profile. Our results suggest that HCV genotype G1 and IL-6 and TNF-α polymorphisms have a clinically relevant influence on serum pro-inflammatory cytokine profile (IL-2 and IFN-γ) in HCV patients.     

Serum concentrations of cytokines in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) and after treatment

During TB cytokines play a role in host defence. To determine the cytokine pattern during various disease stages of TB, serum levels of IL-12, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured in 81 patients with active TB, 15 patients during therapy and 26 patients after anti-tuberculous therapy as well as in 16 persons who had been in close contact with smear-positive TB and in 17 healthy controls. IFN-γ was elevated during active TB when compared with healthy controls, declining during and after treatment. IL-12 (p40 and p70) serum levels were not significantly higher in patients with active TB compared with any of the other groups. IL-4 levels were low in all groups. IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels were elevated in patients with active TB and during treatment. In patients with active TB serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-6 were higher in patients with fever, anorexia and malaise. IL-12 levels were higher in patients with a positive smear. Cytokine levels did not correlate with localization of TB (pulmonary versus extrapulmonary), or skin test positivity. Cytokines directing a Th1 response (IL-12) or a Th2 response (IL-4) were not elevated in sera of this large group of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. In patients with active TB, cytokines that were elevated in serum were IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10.     

CCK-8对KLH免疫小鼠脾细胞Th1/Th2平衡的影响

目的： 探讨八肽胆囊收缩素（CCK-8）对Th1/Th2平衡的调节作用。方法: 给予BALB/c小鼠钥孔戚血蓝蛋白（KLH）免疫同时体内给予不同剂量的CCK-8,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测其脾细胞培养上清中Th1型细胞因子γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）和Th2型细胞因子白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、白细胞介素-5（IL-5）水平,逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)法检测脾细胞中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-5 mRNA表达;ELISA法检测血清中Th1型抗KLH抗体IgG2a和Th2型抗KLH抗体IgG1水平。结果: ①KLH免疫使小鼠脾细胞分泌Th1/Th2型细胞因子水平明显增高,mRNA表达增高,KLH免疫同时给予CCK-8可使脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ、IL-2含量进一步增加和IFN-γ、IL-2mRNA表达增高,而使IL-4、IL-5含量降低,IL-4、IL-5 mRNA表达减低和降低IL-4/IFN-γ比值。②KLH免疫小鼠血清中IgG2a、IgG1发生不同程度增高,CCK-8可使其血清中IgG1水平减低而使IgG2a水平增高。结论: CCK-8可促进KLH免疫小鼠体内Th1反应,使Th2优势反应向Th1方向转变。     

Ethnicity and cytokine production gauge response of patients with hepatitis C to interferon-alpha therapy

Interferon is the primary treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the long-term success rate is low particularly for African Americans relative to Caucasians and may be due to differential immune abilities. This study compared cytokine production from PHA-stimulated peripheral blood from 25 healthy and 40 HCV-infected African Americans and Caucasians. HCV patients were designated as IFN responders or nonresponders based on outcome after therapy. Ethnicity and genotype were associated with IFN response. IFN responders were 100% Caucasian, whereas nonresponders were 67% Caucasian and 33% African American (P = 0.01). Genotype 1 was present in 100% nonresponders and 50% responders (P < 0.05). Age, sex, liver histology, ALT, and viral titers were equivalent (ns). Cytokine production from healthy individuals showed ethnic variation in cytokine levels. Healthy African Americans produced greater amounts of IL-2 (P = 0.06), TNF-alpha (P = 0.06) and less IL-10 (P = 0.05) than healthy Caucasians. In contrast, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta levels were equivalent. Pretherapy cytokine production among HCV patients showed a similar pattern of ethnic variation. African American nonresponders produced more IL-2 (P = 0.06) and TNF-alpha (P = 0.02) than Caucasian nonresponders. Cytokine levels among Caucasian and African American nonresponders were equivalent (P = ns) to ethnically matched healthy individuals whereas Caucasian responders produced subnormal levels of IL-10 (P < 0.05) and TGF-beta (P < 0.05). Since all African Americans failed IFN therapy, cytokine production could not be compared with therapeutic outcome. However, comparison of cytokine production among Caucasians showed that responders produced less IL-10 (P < 0.001) and more TGF-beta (P = 0.06) than nonresponders and predicted Caucasian nonresponders with 83% sensitivity and 96% specificity. HCV genotype was not relevant to cytokine production (P = ns). Distribution of cytokine genetic polymorphisms (TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-10, TGF-beta) was equivalent in all ethnic groups and did not predict clinical nonresponders. In summary, it appears that ethnicity may contribute to variable immune responses and therapeutic outcome. The cytokine profile among African Americans suggests a more robust immune response, which may complicate therapy with IFN. In contrast, the subnormal cytokine production among Caucasian responders may be more permissive to IFN therapy. Pretherapy cytokine production may allow prediction of drug resistance among Caucasians.     

重组干扰素对慢性丙型肝炎抗病毒疗效5年随访观察

目的观察重组干扰素α－２ａ，α－２ｂ抗丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）的近、远期疗效。方法重组干扰素α－２ａ治疗组７０例，重组干扰素α－２ｂ４６例对照组２８例，治疗后随访５年。结果治疗结束时，ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阴转率和血清ＡＬＴ复常率α－２ａ组分别为６７１４％和７０００％，α－２ｂ组分别为６９５６％和７１７３％，随访５年后，α－２ａ组ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阴转率和血清ＡＬＴ复常率分别为３５７１％和４７１４％，α－２ｂ组分别为３９１３％和５２１７％，均显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜００１和Ｐ＜００５）。基因分型以ＨＣＶⅠ组感染为主（７５８６％），干扰素对ＨＣＶⅡ组感染的疗效优于ＨＣＶⅠ组。结论重组干扰素α－２ａ与α－２ｂ均为有效的抗丙型肝炎病毒药物，慢性丙型肝炎患者干扰素治疗的早期疗效较好。ＨＣＶ基因型有预测干扰素疗效的意义     

IFN-γ-producing Th1-like regulatory T cells may limit acute cellular renal allograft rejection: Paradoxical post-transplantation effects of IFN-γ

PurposeIFN-γ is a protypical proinflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in inflammation and acute graft rejection. Accumulating evidence indicates that IFN-γ can exert previously unexpected immunoregulatory activities. However, little is known about the role of IFN-γ secreted by Th1-like regulatory T cells in human kidney transplantation.MethodsTo determine the function of IFN-γ in acute T cell-mediated renal allograft rejection (ACR), we examined serum cytokine expression profiles in ACR patients by human cytokine multiplex immunoassay and analyzed the cellular origins of IFN-γ in peripheral blood and renal allograft biopsies from ACR cases and controls by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, respectively.ResultsThe results showed significant reduction in serum concentrations of Th1-inducing cytokines IL-12p70 and IFN-γ as well as Th2-related cytokine IL-4 in ACR patients compared with stable controls. However, levels of several Th1-, Th2- and Th17-related cytokines, such as IL-2, TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-12 (p40), IL-10, IL-15, IL-17, IL-21, and IL-23, as well as the frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cell, did not differ between ACR cases and stable controls. Moreover, we found the levels of IFN-γ were correlated with those of the anti-inflammatory factor, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in ACR. Notably, the Th1-like Treg cell-to-Foxp3⁻ Th1 cell ratio was significantly lower in ACR patients compared with that in stable controls. In graft biopsies from ACR patients, Treg cells and Th1-like Treg cells were less abundant than those without ACR.ConclusionsOur study indicates that IFN-γ secreted from Th1-like Treg cells negatively modulates ACR.     

Kinetics of soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha receptors and cytokines in the early phase of treatment for chronic hepatitis C: comparison between interferon (IFN)-alpha alone, IFN-alpha plus amantadine or plus ribavirin

We have previously studied the effect of three different treatment regimens with interferon (IFN)-alpha alone or in combination with amantadine or ribavirin on viral kinetics in the first month of therapy. To understand the regulation of cytokine immune response during early inhibition of HCV replication, we analysed the longitudinal profile of proinflammatory markers (soluble TNFRs), of type 1 cytokines [IFN-gamma and interleukin (IL-12)], and of a type 2 cytokine (IL-10). Twenty-two chronic hepatitis C patients received daily therapy for 6 months. Sera were collected at baseline, at 6, 12, 24, 30 and 48 h and at the 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th days of treatment. All cytokines and receptors were evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At baseline, a correlation was found between the two soluble TNFRs (P < 0.0001) and between the soluble TNFRs and ALT levels (P < 0.003), as shown previously. Regardless of the type of treatment, lower levels of soluble TNFR-p75 were present from day 3 in patients who had significant virus decay at day 30 (P < 0.01). Baseline IL-10 levels correlated with TNFR-p75 (P < 0.01) and with treatment response (P < 0.05) and a significant IL-10 reduction from baseline was observed from day 3 among responders, irrespective of the type of treatments (P < 0.05). IL-12 and IFN-gamma levels did not differ according to treatment or outcome. These findings suggest a pivotal role for IL-10 in orchestrating the antiviral immune response. Its early decline can favour the shift from a Th2 to a Th1 immune response, which has been shown to be associated with a long-term virological response to treatment.     

Inhibition of IL-12 synthesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with a bacterial superantigen by pooled human immunoglobulin: implications for its effect on Kawasaki disease (KD)

The aim of this study was to further assess the role of pooled human immunoglobulin (PHIG) on cytokine production from PBMC stimulated with a bacterial superantigen. Human PBMC were cultured with Streptococcus pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPE-A) with or without PHIG and several proinflammatory cytokine levels of culture supernatants were measured. Serum cytokine levels of KD patients before and after PHIG therapy were also examined. PHIG greatly reduced the production of IL-12, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and other cytokines from SPE-A-stimulated PBMC, while exogenous IL-12, but neither IL-1 nor tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), restored IFN-γ production inhibited by PHIG. Although PHIG partially adsorbed SPE-A, its inhibitory effect on cytokine production was not played by anti-SPE-A antibody. Although purified CD4⁺ T cells cultured with human HLA-DR-transfected mouse L cells and SPE-A could not effectively produce IFN-γ, they produced large amounts of IFN-γ if exogenous IL-12 was introduced. KD patients in the acute phase had higher levels of serum IFN-γ than did controls and patients with bacterial infection. Although IL-12 levels of children with or without KD were not significantly different, IL-12 levels of children were much higher than those of adults. However, serum levels of IL-12 of KD patients were transiently but significantly decreased by PHIG therapy and IFN-γ amounts subsequently reverted to basal levels thereafter. These findings indicate that PHIG inhibits IL-12 production of SPE-A-activated monocytes and thereby decreases IFN-γ synthesis by T cells and suggest that inhibition of IL-12 and IFN-γ production is an important part of the mechanisms underlying PHIG therapy on KD.