Expression of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines responding to HBsAg and HBxAg in chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract

The cytokine pattern on viral antigen recognition is believed to exert a profound influence on the resolution of viral infections and viral clearance. This study was initiated to investigate whether a cytokine imbalance oriented toward Th2 type response plays a role in chronic hepatitis B. Cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with chronic hepatitis B were analysed by RT-PCR. Upon HBsAg stimulation, expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 was detected in 41%, 8%, 41%, and 50% of the patients, respectively. Among these cytokines, the expression of IFN-gamma was associated with high levels of serum AST/ALT. However, we could not prove that Th2 type cytokines had a protective effect on hepatocytes. Upon HBxAg stimulation, there was no recognizable association of cytokine patterns with AST/ALT levels. In conclusion, production of a Th1 cytokine, IFN-gamma, by HBsAg-reactive cells was associated with hepatocyte damage in chronic hepatitis B, while no counteracting effect of Th2 cytokines produced by those cells was observed.

Curcumin Protects the Rat Liver from CCl4-Caused Injury and Fibrogenesis by Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Suppressing Inflammation

“…However, our study showed that the level of IFN-␥ was positively correlated with serologic markers of hepatic injury and fibrogenesis. Prior clinical reports also indicated that IFN-␥ was positively associated with elevated levels of ALT in chronic hepatitis B patients (Lee et al, 1999;Hyodo et al, 2003). The role of the elevated level of IFN-␥ in the development of hepatic injury and fibrogenesis remains unclear.…”

Concentrations of Cytokines, Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor, and Soluble CD30 in Sera of Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Infection during Acute and Convalescent Phases

“…Certain cytokines can contribute to this process by efficiently inhibiting viral replication when the subtype Th1 cytokine secretion pattern is predominant or by facilitating the propagation of the pathogens in the patient if the subtype Th2 cytokine secretion pattern is predominant (27).…”

Adefovir dipivoxil modulates cytokine expression in Th1/Th2 cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B

“…T-cell responses are very weak in CHB patients (8). There are two subclasses of T helper cells based on the pattern of cytokines they secrete (9), Th1 and Th2 cells, that have been found to regulate human immune systems through differentially producing cytokines.…”

“…In those studies, the cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with CHB were analyzed by RT-PCR, indicating that the production of IFN-γ by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-reactive cells is associated with hepatocyte damage (8). However, the impact of ADV treatment on Th1/Th2 cytokines in CHB patients remains unknown.…”

“…There are an increasing number of studies exploring the expression profiles of Th1/Th2 cytokines in CHB patients (8,17). In those studies, the cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with CHB were analyzed by RT-PCR, indicating that the production of IFN-γ by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-reactive cells is associated with hepatocyte damage (8).…”