| Background: Hepatitis C is characterized by its propensity to chronicity. With a long-term of HCV infection, the illness may develop to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. So far, the mechanisms responsible for chronicity are not well understood. Generally,HCV infection is persistent because of two factors:virus and body immune status. Virus-related factors are as follows:(l)The RNA-dependent polymerase is highly error prone and lacks proofreading capabilities.Therefore,specific antibodies can not neutralize mutants and hosts can not clear HCV effectively. (2)HCV which exist in PBMC could become source of repeated infection. (3) Level of HCV specific immune response is low because of low viral load.Then,immunological tolerance is developed in body. On the other hand,regulation of Th1 cells and Th2 cells is important to maintain normal immune function. Imbalance of Thl/Th2 cells has close relations with the development of infectious diseases. With the development of immunology,research found CCR5 and CCR3 could be used as the specific surface makers of Thl and Th2 cells.Aims: To assay peripheral blood Th1/Th2 cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C and explore the roles of Thl and Th2 cells in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis Cmethods:1. Study population:Fifteen patients were studied without HBV infection.The diagnosis was based on revised viral hepatitis criteria in 2000.A11 case were not receive IFN within three months. Thirteen heathy adults were normal controls.2. The incorporation of 3H-TdR was determined to identify the best antigen induce dose.3. Post-HCV-cultivated expression levels of CCR5 / CCR3 of PBMC of normal subjects and chronic hepatitis C patients were assayed by using flow cytometry.Results:1. 2.5μg per well and 5μg per well were the best antigen induce dose.2. CCR3 level of chronic hepatitis C patients was higher than that of normal subjects(P<0.01).3. CCR5 level was no discrepancy between the two groups(P> 0.05).4. Post-HCV-cultivated CCR3 level of chronic hepatitis C patients was higher than that of chronic hepatitis C patients without HCV cultivation(P< 0.01).Conclusions:An enchanced Th2 responses are present in patients with chronic hepatitis C,which may be one of the main pathogenesis for the chronicity of HCV infection. |
PDF Full Text Request