Studies of interleukin-12 in chronic hepatitis B virus infection |
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| Authors: | N V Naoumov S Rossol |
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| Institution: | Institute of Hepatology, University College London Medical School, London, UK;*Department of Gastroenterology, University of Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany |
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| Abstract: | Summary. Interleukin-12 is produced by antigen-presenting cells and regulates the balance between TH1/TH2 lymphocyte subsets, promoting cell-mediated immune reactions. Amongst patients with chronic hepatitis B undergoing interferon-alpha treatment, only those who clear hepatitis B virus show a substantial increase in the production of biologically active IL-12 and an inverse ratio between serum levels of IL-12p40 subunit and IL-12. The peak of serum IL-12 occurs after the hepatitis flare and precedes or coincides with the time of HBe seroconversion. These data indicate that IL-12 is an important element for establishing the host immune control on hepatitis B virus replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. |
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| Keywords: | Interleukin-12 TH1/TH2 cells hepatitis B virus clearance chronic hepatitis B cytokines |
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