In vitro α-interferon treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells improves interleukin-2 activity in HBV-related chronic liver disease

• Published in: Journal of hepatology Vol. 1; no. 4; pp. 385 - 393
• Main Authors: Saxena, S., Nouri-Aria, K.T., Anderson, M.G., Williams, Roger, Eddleston, A.L.W.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 1985; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cells, Cultured; Female; Hepatitis B - immunology; Hepatitis, Chronic - immunology; Hepatitis, Chronic - therapy; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Interferon Type I - pharmacology; Interferon Type I - therapeutic use; Interleukin-2 - immunology; Lymphocytes - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Monocytes - immunology; Phytohemagglutinins - pharmacology; Viral diseases; Viral hepatitis; Human; Alpha interferon; Various treatments; Hepatobiliary disease; In vitro; Infection; Viral hepatitis B; Mononuclear cell; Interleukin 2; Viral disease; Surgery; Immunotherapy; Digestive diseases
• ISSN: 0168-8278; 1600-0641
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-8278(85)80776-5

To investigate mitogen-induced helper T cell activity in patients with HBV-related chronic liver disease (CLD), Interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity was assessed by an IL-2 bioassay using phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated mononuclear cells (MNC). IL-2 activity was significantly reduced in patients with CLD ( P < 0.01), and was comparable to controls in those with minimal liver damage, indicating that decreased IL-2 activity is not due to the presence of HBV. MNC from 2 of the 3 patients treated with α-interferon ( α-IFN) showed the highest IL-2 activity. In vitro preincubation of MNC with α-IFN before stimulation with PHA, led to a significant increase in IL-2 activity in all subjects ( P < 0.01). The improvement in IL-2 activity induced by α-IFN may be, in part, responsible for the therapeutic effect of this agent in HBV-related CLD.