CXCL10 and CCL2 serum levels in patients with mixed cryoglobulinaemia and hepatitis C

• Published in: Digestive and liver disease Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 42 - 48
• Main Authors: Antonelli, A, Ferri, C, Fallahi, P, Ferrari, S.M, Frascerra, S, Franzoni, F, Galetta, F, Zignego, A.L, Ferrannini, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Aged; Case-Control Studies; CCL2 (MCP-1); Chemokine CCL2 - blood; Chemokine CXCL10 - blood; Cryoglobulinaemia; Cryoglobulinemia - blood; Cryoglobulinemia - complications; CXCL10 (IP-10); Female; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - blood; Hepatitis C - complications; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Vasculitis - blood; Vasculitis - complications; CXCL10 (IP-10); Cryoglobulinaemia; CCL2 (MCP-1); Hepatitis C
• ISSN: 1590-8658; 1878-3562
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2008.04.009

Abstract Background No study evaluates serum levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 chemokines in patients with hepatitis C associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Aims To measure circulating CXCL10 and CCL2 in cryoglobulinaemic patients. Patients and methods Serum CXCL10 and CCL2 were assayed in 70 consecutive cryoglobulinaemic patients, and in 2 control groups (1:1, gender- and age-matched) of healthy (controls), or of chronic hepatitis C subjects without cryoglobulinaemia. Results Cryoglobulinaemic patients showed higher CXCL10 serum levels than controls ( p < 0.0001), or hepatitis C patients ( p = 0.001) (389 ± 141, 91 ± 51, 311 ± 142 pg/ml, respectively). By defining a “high CXCL10” as a value at least 2 S.D. above the mean value of the control group (>193 pg/ml), 79% of cryoglobulinaemic patients, 5% of the controls and 69% of hepatitis C patients had high CXCL10 ( p < 0.0001). CXCL10 levels were ( p < 0.01) increased in cryoglobulinaemic patients with active vasculitis, with respect to those without (445 ± 108, 339 ± 161 pg/ml, respectively). Cryoglobulinaemic patients showed significantly higher CCL2 serum level than controls ( p < 0.01), but not than hepatitis C patients (541 ± 493, 387 ± 173 and 451 ± 281 pg/ml, respectively). Conclusion Our study first demonstrates high serum levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 chemokines in cryoglobulinaemic patients. Circulating CXCL10 is higher overall in cryoglobulinaemic patients with active vasculitis, suggesting a prevalence of the Th1 immune response in this phase.