BACKGROUNDIt has been known that intra-cellular immunity is important for defense against viral infections and this function lies with interferon gamma (INF-gamma). Here we evaluated the role of IFN-gamma system in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

METHODSThe levels of interferon gamma receptor alpha (IFNGR alpha) on the peripheral lymphocyte membrane were assayed with flow cytometry. The plasma concentrations of the cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-10 in CHC patients and normal controls were assayed by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The samples were collected randomly from Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Zhejiang and the northern regions of Jiangsu Province in China.

RESULTSThe levels of IFNGR alpha in CHC patients were significantly lower than that of normal controls (NC), especially among patients during the stable stage (P < 0.001), whereas there were no significant differences between CHC in active and stable stages. Among the patients of the three regions, there were no significant differences between patients from Xinjiang and Zhejiang provinces, but both had statistically significant difference compared with the patients from Jiangsu Province (P < 0.001). Plasma IFN-gamma and IL-10 concentrations in CHC patients decreased significantly, IFN-gamma in particular, but there were no significant differences in these levels between various stages of the disease. The IFN-gamma/IL-10 (Th1/Th2) ratio in patients was reversed.

CONCLUSIONThere may be defects in the IFN-gamma system in chronic HCV infected subjects and a low immune response, which may play an important role in the persistence of HCV infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interferon ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the role of interleukin(IL)18 and interferon gamma (IFN-Gamma) in the pathogenesis of condyloma acuminatum(CA).

METHODSDouble antibody sandwich ELISA was used to measure the levels of IL-18 and IFN-Gamma in serum of 30 cases of CA.

RESULTThe serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-Gamma of the CA patients were significantly higher than those of normal controls IL-18 132.00 +/-52.92 microg/L compared with 50.79 +/- 23.48 microg/L, P<0.01 IFN-Gamma:80.83 +/-20.46 microg/L compared with 20.71 +/-11.18 microg/L P <0.01) and IL-18 levels were positively correlated with IFN-Gamma concentrations (r=0.754, t=6.081, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that during infection of human papilloma viruses, anti-infective immune responses are activated.

Adult ; Condylomata Acuminata ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the possible differences in the interferon gamma receptor (IFN-gamma R1) response among a variety of clinical types in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and implications in pathogenesis.

METHODSThe serum level of IFN-gamma and the expression level of IFN-gamma R1 in peripheral leucocytes, from 53 CHB patients, were examined by ELISA and flow cytometry respectively, which were compared with the baseline levels of 15 healthy controls and were performed correlation analysis with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil) in serum and morphological change in hepatic tissues.

RESULTSThe results showed that the level of IFN-gamma R1 (28.89% 11.77%) expressed on the membranes of lymphocytes in CHB patients, which correlated with liver inflammation (r=0.621, P<0.01) and serum TBil level (r=0.575, P<0.01), was much higher than that (9.23% 1.30%) of the healthy controls (Z=3.988, P<0.05), and no obvious difference on the membranes of leucocytes. The serum levels of IFN-gamma in patients with cirrhosis and severe hepatitis were higher than those of healthy controls. And the two was no difference from each other, but the standard deviation in each group was relatively large.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that the IFN-gamma signal transduction pathway is modulated through up-regulating the expression of IFN-gamma R1 on the membranes of lymphocytes, which takes part in the immuno-pathogenesis in CHB patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interferon ; blood

OBJECTIVEInterferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) are typical cytokines produced by CD4(+) T cells under antigenic stimulations, and the changes of serum levels of the two cytokines can indirectly reflect the immune state and the progress of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in peripheral blood of children with Mycoplasmal pneumonia.

METHODSThe peripheral blood concentrations of IFN-gamma and IL-4 were measured using ELISA in 40 children with Mycoplasmal pneumonia at the acute stage. The samples from 40 healthy children were used as the Control group.

RESULTSThe serum concentrations of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the Mycoplasmal pneumonia group were 99.43 +/- 13.18 and 44.61 +/- 17.46 pg/mL, respectively, which were higher than those in the Control group (86.23 +/- 6.31 and 25.97 +/- 9.40 pg/mL respectively; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere was an imbalance in cytokine secretion in children with Mycoplasmal pneumonia at the acute phase, suggesting that adjuvant immunological therapy is needed for Mycoplasmal pneumonia.

Acute Disease ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

This article reviews that as a functionally and phenotypically distict immunoregulatory T cell subpopulation, CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells can suppress the activation and proliferation of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells and CD8(+) T cells and the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. These regulatory cells play an important role in allograft tolerance, although the mechanisms are not completely understood to date. CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells can be isolated, activated and expanded in vitro without loss of their immunoregulatory function. The suppressive function of activated CD4(+)CD25(+) cells is antigen non-specific. Ex vivo activated and expanded regulatory T cells have a perspective for practical use.
CD4 Antigens ; blood ; CD8 Antigens ; blood ; Cell Division ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transplantation Tolerance ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the change of peripheral Th1/Th2 cells in patients with CAP/CPPS and its significance in various clinical types of CAP/CPPS.

METHODSInterferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) secreted by CD3+ CD8(-)T cells were detected by flow cytometry in 35 patients with CAP/CPPS and 12 healthy volunteers, and significance of Th1/Th2 cells ratio in the etiology of CAP/CPPS was analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with control group, peripheral Th1 cells were significantly increased in patients with IIIA and III B CAP/CPPS, the Th1/Th2 cell ratio was apparently increased (P <0.05), while Th2 cells was not different from that in the control(P>0.05 ); Th1, Th2 cells and Th1/Th2 in patients with IIIA CPPS were not statistically different from those in III B CPPS respectively (P > 0.05) .

CONCLUSIONThere is a Th1/Th2 imbalance in CAP/CPPS patients with an increase of Th1 type cytokines. Th1 cell may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CAP/CPPS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; immunology ; Prostatitis ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the status of Th1/Th2 immune response and the value of the detection of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) by examining the levels of IFN-&gamma; and IL-4 in BALF and serum in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumonia (MPP).

METHODSThe levels of IFN-&gamma; and IL-4 in BALF and serum were measured using ELISA in 25 children with severe MPP, 25 children with mild MPP and 25 children with foreign body in bronchus.

RESULTSThe levels of IL-4 and IFN-&gamma; and the IL-4/IFN-&gamma; ratio in BALF in children with severe MPP were significantly higher than those in children with foreign body in bronchus (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-4 and the IL-4/IFN-&gamma; ratio in children with severe MPP were significantly higher than those in children with foreign body in bronchus (P<0.01) or with mild MPP (P<0.05). The levels of IL-4 and the IL-4/IFN-&gamma; ratio in BALF were significantly higher than in serum (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe data suggest that the imbalance of Th1/Th2 exists in children with severe MPP and it seems to represent a predominant Th2-like cytokine response. The detection of cytokines in BALF appears to be more sensitive than in serum and may be of value in the diagnosis and therapy of MPP.

Adolescent ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the specific cellular immunoresponse of peripheral blood lymphocytes in the chronic hepatitis B patients treated with different doses of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.

METHODSSeventy-two chronic hepatitis B patients who did not use any anti-HBV drugs within 6 months were randomized into 3 groups (90 micrograms, 60 micrograms, and placebo) in a ratio of 1:1:1. The patients in different groups were treated with different doses of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in combination with IFN alpha 1b 50 micrograms with 3 times a week for 24 weeks. All patients were followed up for 24 weeks (W24). HBV DNA, HBeAg and liver functions were detected at different time points, and the number of cells that secrete IFN-gamma were detected by ELISPOT.

RESULTSThere were no significant difference in ELISPOT positive ratio among the 3 groups on baseline detection. At W24, 12 cases, 12 cases, and 7 cases showed ELISPOT positive in the group of 90 micrograms, 60 micrograms, and placebo. The proportion of patients who were ELISPOT positive was higher in the groups treated with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (including the dose of 90 micrograms and 60 micrograms) than that in the placebo group (P=0.0446). HBV DNA turned negative in 6/24 of the patients treated with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (at both the doses of 90 micrograms and 60 micrograms), and HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion or HBeAg became negative in 7/24 of them. In the placebo group, none of the patients showed undetectable HBV DNA, HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion or HBeAg disappearance. At the 24W of follow up, in the patients who were ELISPOT positive, HBV DNA became undetectable in 4 of the patients treated with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (at doses of 90 micrograms and 60 micrograms), and HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion or HBeAg disappearance were found in 9 of the cases. In the placebo group, none of the cases showed undetectable HBV DNA, and only 1 case had HBeAg/Anti-HBe seroconversion.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant hepatitis B vaccine may increase the function of specific T lymphocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis B. There were no significant differences between the patients treated with the dose of 90 micrograms and 60 micrograms hepatitis B vaccine.

Adult ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of HBV antigens and pathological mechanism of chronic HBV infection by analyzing the cellular immune function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HBsAg carriers.

METHODSPBMCs were prepared from individuals with chronic asymptomatic HBV infection and cultured in the presence of different antigens and/ or cytokines. The levels of cytokines in culture supernatants were detected by ELISA method. The phenotype of the cells was detected by FACS.

RESULTSThe levels of IFN y secreted by PBMCs from HBsAg carriers were (48.3+/-19.8) pg/ml, significantly lower than that from healthy controls (t = 3.023, P less than 0.05); The IFN y produced by PBMCs from HBeAg positive patients due to HBsAg and HBcAg stimulation were (50.4+/-51.6) pg/ml and (63.2+/-36.9) pg/ml, significantly lower than that of HBeAg negative patients (t = 2.468 and 3.184, P less than 0.05, respectively). The IL-12p70 secreted by PBMCs from HBeAg positive patients was also significantly lower than that of HBeAg negative patients (P less than 0.05); Exogenous IL-12 promoted significantly PBMCs to secrete IFN y (P less than 0.01) and IL-12 combined with HBV antigens activated CD8+CD45RA+CCR7+ and CD8+CD45RA-CD62L+ cells. IL-12 secreted by PBMCs decreased in HBeAg positive patients, which may be the crucial reason of viral persistence in chronic HBV carriers. Exogenous IL-12 combined with specific HBV antigen could promote the central memory CD8+ T cells to produce IFN y.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carrier State ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; Case-Control Studies ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Young Adult