CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C - T-HELPER1 T-HELPER2 IMBALANCE COULD CAUSE VIRUSPERSISTENCE IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD/

Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) and interleukin 4, 10 and 12 (IL-4, -10, -12) production was measured in whole peripheral blood (WPB) and perip heral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 10 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) p atients. The level of IFN gamma in supernatants in mitogen-activated W PB was lower than in healthy donors. IL-10 served as a possible downre gulative factor for IFN gamma, since its spontaneous IL-10 production was enhanced in CHC. Neutralization of IL-10 partly restored IFN gamma response in CHC patients. Recombinant IL-12 (rIL-12) also enhanced IF N gamma of CHC patients, but IL-12 production was decreased in CHC. Th us, IFN gamma production deficiency in CHC patients is secondary to bl ockage by high levels of IL-10-impaired IL-12 production.