INCREASED LEVELS OF SOLUBLE ADHESION MOLECULES IN THE SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH HEPATITIS-C - CORRELATION WITH CYTOKINE CONCENTRATIONS AND LIVER INFLAMMATION AND FIBROSIS

Lymphocyte adhesion to endothelium, extravasation, and adhesion to hep atocytes are mediated by adhesion molecules and constitute important s teps in the liver inflammation due to chronic hepatitis C (HCV-CH). We measured soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1, sCD54), va scular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1, sCD106), E-selectin (sCD62E), as well as interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-al pha (TNF-alpha) concentrations in the serum of 22 patients with HCV-CH in comparison to 20 seronegative healthy volunteers. sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 , sCD62E, TNF-alpha, and IL-X but not IL-1 beta concentrations were si gnificantly elevated in patients. sICAM-1 and sCD62E correlated with T NF-alpha and aspartate amino transferases levels. sICAM-1 correlated w ith liver lobular inflammation whereas sVCAM-1, sCD62E, and IL-8 corre lated with liver fibrosis. Measurement of soluble adhesion molecules m ay be an easy way to follow liver inflammation and fibrosis during HCV -CH.