In vitro cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to HCV core antigen stimulation during interferon-beta treatment and its relevance to sCD8 and sCD30

We investigated the responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to hepatitis C virus core protein in ten patients with chronic hepatitis C during interferon (IFN)-beta treatment to determine if the modulation of t he immune reaction to hepatitis C virus by IFN treatment is associated with the viral clearance. Interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and int erferon-gamma in the supernatant of the patients' PBMC co-cultured with the MCV core antigen-presenting autologous PBMCs were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of soluble CD (sCD) 8 and sCD30 in these patients were also measure d by ELISA. The production of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma by PBMCs o f sustained responders (SRs) increased after IFN-treatment, although it did not reach a significant level. Interleukin-10 was detected only in non-res ponders (NRs) at 0 and 4 weeks after the start of IFN treatment. Serum sCD8 level increased significantly in SR with IFN treatment. A close correlatio n between the serum sCD8 levels and interferon-gamma levels in the supernat ant at week 8 was observed in SR. These results suggest that IFN treatment potentiates the cellular immune reaction against HCV core protein more effi ciently in SR than in NR. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.