BACKGROUND: Clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is attributed to host cellular immune responses, in which T helper cells play a critical role. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to study the serial changes of serum soluble markers released from T helper 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) and their correlations with treatment responses in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving interferon-alpha plus ribavirin for 24 weeks. METHODS: Serum markers (soluble CD26 and CD30 levels) of T helper cells were quantified before and 6 months after combination therapy in 33 chronic hepatitis C patients and in 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, chronic hepatitis C patients had significantly lower serum soluble CD26 levels before (140.4 +/- 63.9 ng/mL vs 200.6 +/- 60.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) and after (115.9 +/- 32.9 ng/mL vs 200.6 +/- 60.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) combination therapy. The level was even lower in those with non-sustained virologic response (non-SVR; 139.0 +/- 50.9 ng/mL vs 117.7 +/- 40.3 ng/mL, P = 0.039). In contrast, soluble CD30 levels at 6 months after combination therapy were significantly lower in patients with SVR than those with non-SVR (6.4 +/- 3.5 U/mL vs 10.4 +/- 5.4 U/mL, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Chronic hepatitis C patients have a weak Th1 response as reflected by lower soluble CD26 levels and the levels are even lower in non-sustained responders. In sharp contrast, downregulation of Th2 response with serial changes of soluble CD30 level is associated with successful treatment of HCV infection.
BACKGROUND: Clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is attributed to host cellular immune responses, in which T helper cells play a critical role. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to study the serial changes of serum soluble markers released from T helper 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) and their correlations with treatment responses in chronic hepatitis Cpatients receiving interferon-alpha plus ribavirin for 24 weeks. METHODS: Serum markers (soluble CD26 and CD30 levels) of T helper cells were quantified before and 6 months after combination therapy in 33 chronic hepatitis Cpatients and in 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, chronic hepatitis Cpatients had significantly lower serum soluble CD26 levels before (140.4 +/- 63.9 ng/mL vs 200.6 +/- 60.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) and after (115.9 +/- 32.9 ng/mL vs 200.6 +/- 60.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) combination therapy. The level was even lower in those with non-sustained virologic response (non-SVR; 139.0 +/- 50.9 ng/mL vs 117.7 +/- 40.3 ng/mL, P = 0.039). In contrast, soluble CD30 levels at 6 months after combination therapy were significantly lower in patients with SVR than those with non-SVR (6.4 +/- 3.5 U/mL vs 10.4 +/- 5.4 U/mL, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION:Chronic hepatitis Cpatients have a weak Th1 response as reflected by lower soluble CD26 levels and the levels are even lower in non-sustained responders. In sharp contrast, downregulation of Th2 response with serial changes of soluble CD30 level is associated with successful treatment of HCV infection.
Authors: Armanda Casrouge; Jérémie Decalf; Mina Ahloulay; Cyril Lababidi; Hala Mansour; Anaïs Vallet-Pichard; Vincent Mallet; Estelle Mottez; James Mapes; Arnaud Fontanet; Stanislas Pol; Matthew L Albert Journal: J Clin Invest Date: 2010-12-22 Impact factor: 14.808
Authors: A Casrouge; A Bisiaux; L Stephen; M Schmolz; J Mapes; C Pfister; S Pol; V Mallet; M L Albert Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2012-01 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Oscar J Cordero; Monica Imbernon; Loretta De Chiara; Vicenta S Martinez-Zorzano; Daniel Ayude; Maria Paez de la Cadena; F Javier Rodriguez-Berrocal Journal: World J Clin Oncol Date: 2011-06-10
Authors: Mary A Fletcher; Xiao R Zeng; Kevin Maher; Silvina Levis; Barry Hurwitz; Michael Antoni; Gordon Broderick; Nancy G Klimas Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-05-25 Impact factor: 3.240