SOLUBLE(S) CD14 AND PLASMATIC LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES (LPS) IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH INTERFERON (IFN)-ALPHA

CD14 is a monocyte/polymorphonuclear cell receptor for lipopolysacchar ide (LPS)-LPS Binding Protein (LBP), which mediates most of the toxic effects exerted by such a bacterial component in the host. Here, we pr ovide evidence that sCD14 and interferon (IFN)-gamma serum levels are significantly higher in chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients than those detected in normal donors. On the other hand, CD4+/CD8+ antibacterial activity is depressed, thus facilitating entry of bacteria into the h ost. Of note, all these immune parameters are not modified by in vivo IFN-alpha. administration over a period of one year. Finally, after 12 months of IFN-alpha treatment number of CH-C patients with detectable levels of plasmatic LPS increased, thus indicating a continuous relea se of LPS into the host and also suggesting a putative pathogenetic-ro le for sCD14 LPS-LBP complex in subjects affected by CH-C virus infect ion.