Soluble beta(2)-mu-associated and beta(2)-mu-free HLA class I heavy chain serum levels in interferon-alpha nonresponder chronic hepatitis C patients.Markers of immune activation, and response to antiviral retreatment

The serum levels of soluble beta (2)-mu -associated and beta (2)-mu -free H LA class I heavy chains were determined in 28 interferon-alpha nonresponder chronic hepatitis C patients retreated with interferon-alpha plus ribaviri n and in 70 healthy subjects. The baseline levels of beta (2)-mu -associate d and beta (2)-mu -free HLA class I heavy chains were significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls (P = 0,001). The levels of beta (2)-mu -associated HLA class I heavy chains significantly increased in responder patients with respect to nonresponders at the third month of treatment (P = 0.03). At the sixth month of treatment and after 6 months of follow up the levels of beta (2)-mu -associated HLA class I heavy chains decreased in re sponder patients and increased in nonresponders. The levels of beta (2)-mu -free HLA class I heavy chains showed only minor changes during and after t reatment. We suggest that the determination of hepatitis C virus RNA levels combined with soluble beta (2)-mu -associated HLA class I heavy chains, as a marker of immune activation, could identify interferon-alpha non respond er chronic hepatitis C patients most likely to respond to a retreatment wit h interferon-a. plus ribavirin.