[Predictor of effect of interferon-alpha on patients with hepatitis B: Th1/Th2 type cytokines].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the expression of Th1/Th2 type cytokines and the effect of interferon-alpha therapy.

METHODS

Th1/Th2 type cytokines were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR in 23 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with interferon-alpha for 24 weeks.

RESULTS

The levels of IFN-gamma in the supernatant of PBMC cultures of the patients with hepatitis B were slightly lower than those of the controls. However, the levels of IL-4 were higher in the patients than in the controls. Cytokines measurements during IFN-alpha treatment showed a trend toward decreased levels of IL-4 at 4, 12 and 24 weeks. However, the levels of IFN-gamma were slightly increased following IFN-alpha treatment. In patients with complete response to IFN-alpha, the levels of IFN-gamma were higher than that of pre-treatment at 24 weeks following IFN-alpha treatment, and the levels of IL-4 decreased obviously at 12 and 24 weeks. The mRNA levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines were positively correlated with the levels of supernatant.

CONCLUSION

(1) The expression of Th2 type cytokines is predominant in patients with chronic hepatitis B. (2) The effect of interferon-alpha therapy may play a role in modulating the balance of Th1/Th2 type cytokines. (3) Variations of the levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines could be used as a predictor of clinical response during interferon-alpha treatment.