Correspondence to Author:  Yutaka Kishida, 

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Kaisei Hospital. 1-6-10 Miyahara, Yodogawa-Ku, Osaka City, Osaka, 5320003 Japan.

Abstract:

Background
Primary defects in innate immunity in chronic hepatitis-C and -B may shift towards dysregulated adaptive immunity. Cytokines are critical immune regulators.
Aim
To clarify cytokines and chemokines in chronic hepatitis-C and -B to investigate the innate and adaptive immunity.
Methods
Twenty-seven serum cytokines were evaluated in 27 patients with chronic hepatitis-C (genotype 1 [n=20], genotype 2 [n=7], hepatitis-C virus. RNA 5.72 ± 3.17 Log IU/ mL),12 patients with chronic hepatitis-B (e-antigen [+] [n=5], e-Ag [-] [n=7], genotype B [n=2], genotype C [n=9], hepatitis-B virus. DNA 6.19 ± 1.31 Log-copies/mL) and controls (n=5).
Results
Th1 and Th2 cytokines levels were significantly higher (p< 0.05) in chronic hepatitis-B than those in chronic hepatitis-C. Interleukin-12 and -15 levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in chronic hepatitis-B than those in chronic hepatitis C. CXCL8 and -10 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in chronic hepatitis-C and -B than those in controls. Immune responses were stronger in patients with chronic hepatitis-C (genotype 2) than in those with chronic hepatitis- C (genotype1). The results showed a distinct state of immunity among chronic hepatitis-B and -C.
Conclusions
Skewing immunity was observed in chronic hepatitis-B and -C as well as impairments to induce innate immunity linked to adaptive immunity. Augmenting immunological strategies are necessary for the treatment and management of chronic hepatitis-B and -C with a high viral load.

Citation:

Yutaka Kishida. Cytokine and chemokine profiling in chronic hepatitis- C and -B virus infections with high viral load. Journal of Immunology 2024.