STUDIES OF INTERLEUKIN-12 IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B VIRUS-INFECTION

Interleukin-12 is produced by antigen-presenting cells and regulates t he balance between TH1/TH2, lymphocyte subsets, promoting cell-mediate d immune reactions. Amongst patients with chronic hepatitis B undergoi ng interferon-alpha treatment, only those who clear hepatitis B virus show a substantial increase in the production of biologically active I L-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 chron ic hepatitis B virus infection.