IL-8 Is Associated with Non-Viremic State and IFN-[gamma] with Biochemical Activity in HCV-Seropositive Blood Donors

• Published in: Intervirology Vol. 54; no. 2; p. 87
• Main Authors: Zarife, Maria Alice S, Reis, Eliana A G, Meira, Glenda C, Carmo, Theomira M A, Lopes, Gisele B, Malafaia, Emilia C O B, Silva, Helder R, Santana, Nelma, Martins-filho, Olindo A, Reis, Mitermayer G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel S. Karger AG 01.02.2011
• ISSN: 0300-5526; 1423-0100
• DOI: 10.1159/000318896

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore a possible association between the pattern of serum cytokines with the virological and biochemical status of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-seropositive blood donors. Methods: 23 non-viremic and 33 viremic HCV-seropositive blood donors based on HCV-RNA tests, and 29 healthy individuals were included. Cytometric bead array assays were performed to detect cytokines. Results: The subjects were classified as low, medium or high cytokine producers based on the tertile distribution. The absence of detectable viremia was associated with high IL-1β and IL-8 producers. Conversely, elevated levels of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 were associated with detectable viremia. An increased frequency of high IL-1β producers was observed frequently in the non-viremic recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA)-indeterminate subjects, while the high IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12 producers were more frequent in the non-viremic RIBA-positive subjects. Furthermore, the levels of IL-1β and IL-8 were higher in viremic subjects with a low level of alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), whereas the level of IFN-[gamma] was increased among viremic subjects with a high ALT level. Conclusion: IL-1β and IL-8 were more likely to be associated with a non-viremic or less severe HCV infection, whereas IL-2 and IFN-[gamma] levels correlated with a high ALT level. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]