慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞HCV RNA检测及其与机体免疫功能的相关性研究

目的观察慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)HCVRNA含量及其对T淋巴细胞亚群的影响,以探讨HCV感染者PBMC中HCVRNA水平及其与机体免疫功能的关系。方法采用荧光定量PCR(FQPCR)技术对128例丙型肝炎患者血清、外周血单个核细胞的HCVRNA含量进行了检测,同时检测CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+。结果PBMC内HCVRNA阳性组与HCVRNA阴性组比较,前者CD3+、CD4+水平降低、CD8+水平增高,CD4+/CD8+比值下降大于后者,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论丙型肝炎病毒侵染PBMC后可加重患者的细胞免疫功能紊乱。     

HLA-DRB1* 1301,1302等位基因对慢性丙型肝炎患者的影响

目的：探讨HLA—DRB1＊1301，1302基因对慢性HCV感染及其慢性化的影响。方法：采用异硫氰胍一步法提取血清RNA，RT，PCR方法检测HCVRNA；采用酚-氯仿法从血液中提取基因组DNA，根据人工合成的HLA—DRB1＊1301，1302的特异性引物，进行PCR扩增，对结果进行测序分析。结果：61例慢性丙型肝炎患者中血清HCVRNA阳性41例（67．2％），其中4例（9．8％）HLA—DRB1＊1301，1302基因阳性，20例血清HCVRNA阴性患者中7例（35．0％）HLA-DRB1＊1301，1302基因阳性（P=0．029，OR=0．22）。结论：HLA—DRB1＊1301，1302基因是宿主抗HCV慢性感染的重要遗传因子。     

慢性丙型肝炎病毒感染状态与机体免疫功能关系的探讨

目的：探讨慢性丙型肝炎病毒感染患者HCVRNA增殖状态与T细胞亚群功能及血浆中IL-2和sIL-2R活性的关系。方法：以间接免疫荧光法，ELISA法和RT-PCR分别检测75名慢性HCV感染患者外周血T细胞亚群，IL-2及sIL-2R的水平和HCVRNA。结果：慢性HCV感染患者周围血CD3 ，CD4 淋巴细胞亚群，CD4 ／CD8 比值及IL-2水平均显著低于正常对照组(P<0.01)而sIL-2R明显升高(P<0.01)；血清HCVRNA阳性患者T细胞亚群，CD4 ／CD8 比值及IL-2水平显著低于HCVRNA阴性患者(P<0.01)。结论：慢性HCV感染患者的机体免疫功能紊乱，细胞免疫功能低下，HCVRNA阳性患者较阴性患者更甚，提示细胞免疫功能受抑可能是HCV持续增殖的原因。     

α-2b干扰素治疗低活动性丙型肝炎

研究旨在探讨ALT水平正常或接近正常的慢性丙型肝炎患者是否需要进行α-2b干扰素治疗。 方法:来自挪威和丹麦各3个中心的既往未经治疗的23例患者参与了前瞻性试验。所有患者均经第二代ELISA法检测,HCV抗体为阳性,并经PCR法检测,HCV RNA为阳性。血清ALT水平低于正常值上限1.5倍至少6个月,但肝组织活检异常,符合慢性丙型肝炎。所有患者均接受α-2b干扰素3MU皮下注射,每周3次,疗程6个月。采用PCR法检测血清HCVRNA,并检测HCV基因型。     

VIP在慢性丙型肝炎病毒感染中的表达及意义

逆转录聚合酶链反应检测慢性丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染者血清中HCVRNA，酶联免疫吸附法检测血浆中血管活性肠肽（VIP）水平。发现HCV感染组VIP表达水平明显低于正常对照组，并且VIP水平与HCVRNA无相关性。认为VIP在慢性HCV感染中发挥重要作用，有可能成为治疗慢性丙型肝炎的靶点。     

PD-1分子对慢性丙型肝炎患者T细胞免疫功能的影响

目的 探讨慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞表面程序性死亡因子-1（PD-1）分子在T细胞免疫应答中的作用。方法受试对象包括40例慢性丙型肝炎患者,10例非病毒性肝炎的肝病患者,以及20名健康对照。取外周血,采用流式细胞术检测CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞上PD-1的表达水平;ELIsA法测定混合淋巴细胞培养上清中IFN—γ及IL-2的浓度。结果慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞上PD-1阳性表达率[（38．61±4．35）％、（48．17±5．16）％]明显高于其他肝病患者及健康对照（P〈0．01）。慢性丙型肝炎患者产生Ⅰ型细胞因子的能力明显降低,阻断PD-1共刺激信号途径能够增强患者T细胞分泌I型细胞因子的能力。结论慢性丙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞上PD-1表达水平的升高,可能是导致T淋巴细胞应答能力下降的重要原因。     

不同基因型慢性丙型肝炎患者血清HCV-RNA与载脂蛋白B的关系

目的研究慢性丙型肝炎基因1型和非基因1型患者血清HCV—RNA水平和血清载脂蛋白B（ApoB）的关系。方法临床确诊为慢性丙型肝炎的53例患者，采用干扰素联合利巴韦林抗病毒治疗至少24周，Simmonds酶切分型方法进行HCV基因分型，荧光定量聚合酶链反应法（FQ—PCR）定量检测HCV—RNA，全自动生化分析仪检测血清载脂蛋白B，对不同基因型患者血清HCV-RNA水平和载脂蛋白B的关系进行研究分析。结果基因1型和非基因1型慢性丙型肝炎患者的血清HCV-RNA及载脂蛋白B水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；基因1型患者血清载脂蛋白B水平与HCV—RNA载量无明显相关（P〉0．05）；非基因1型患者血清载脂蛋白B水平随着HCV-RNA载量的降低呈升高趋势（P〈0．05）。结论不同基因型HCV对干扰素产生不同的应答反应，感染HCV基因1型的患者对干扰素治疗应答率显著低于基因2型和3型。不同基因型HCV感染者血清载脂蛋白B无显著差异，血清ApoB水平在非基因1型患者与干扰素抗HCV应答密切相关。     

RFLP法检测PBMCs和血浆中HCV基因型的相关性与慢性化的关系

目的检测HCV感染者血浆和外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)中HCV基因型的相关性,同时研究不同型的HCV与丙型肝炎复发及慢性化的关系。方法应用特异性限制性片段长度多态分析(RFLP)—酶切分型法进行基因分型。结果82例血浆HCVRNA阳性的病例中1b(Ⅱ)型为37例(45.1%),2a(Ⅲ)型为34例(41.5%),1b/2a(Ⅱ/Ⅲ)型为11例(13.4%)。PBMCs中HCVRNA阳性的为54例(65.85%),其中1b型为38例,2a型为12例,1b/2a型为4例。结论HCV感染人体后,不但在血浆中可以检测到HCVRNA,而且也可以在PBMCs中检测到HCVRNA。同时HCV1b型比2a型更易感染PBMCs,HCV1b型感染者易出现慢性持续性感染,以至于发展为肝硬化。     

慢性丙型肝炎患者血清趋化因子CXCL9和CXCL11的检测及其临床意义

目的探讨慢性丙型肝炎患者血清趋化因子CXCL9和CXCL11的变化规律及其临床意义。方法用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测血清CXCL9和CXCL11的浓度;荧光定量反转录聚合酶链反应法（RT-PCR）检测HCVRNA病毒载量;INNO-LiPA线性探针杂交法检测HCV基因分型;全自动生化分析仪检测肝功能。结果对照组（n=26）和慢性丙型肝炎组（n=48）血清CXCL9的浓度分别为（596．8±238．4）pg／mL和（2457．8±1650．7）pg／mL,血清CXCL11的浓度分别为（106．8±76．95）pg／mL和（307．54-259．4）pg／mL,差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。在慢性丙型肝炎组内,CXCL9和CXCL11的水平在不同HCV1b基因型组和2a基因型组之间无显著差异。CXCL9和CXCL11浓度与血清ALT水平无相关性（CXCL9：r=-0．119,P=0．397;CXCL11：r=0．219,P=0．138）,与HCVRNA载量也无相关性（CXCL9：r=0．253,P=0．212;CXCL11：r=0．105,P=0．451）。结论CXCL9和CXCL11可能参与了慢性丙型肝炎感染导致的肝脏免疫损伤过程,ALT和HCVRNA与CXCL9和CXCL11浓度变化无明显相关性。     

丙型肝炎

丙型肝炎病毒致病性研究新进展（综述），丙型肝炎病毒NS3蛋白促进人源肝细胞的增殖及其相关机制研究，血清HCVRNA荧光定量与丙型肝炎诊断意义，丙型肝炎病毒内源性靶向基因疫苗对荷瘤小鼠抑瘤效果的初步研究，丙型肝炎病毒体外可感染树晌肝细胞，慢性丙型肝炎患CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞表达增加,蛋白芯片、抗体检测及RT-PCR技术研究不同HCV感染人群的病原学差异.[编按]     

GB Virus C infection in Patients With HIV/Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection: Improvement of the Liver Function in Chronic Hepatitis C

Background:

Previous studies in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV coinfection have shown that the presence of GBV-C is associated with significantly less compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, and an improvement in cirrhosis-free survival.

Objectives:

This study aimed to describe the effect of GBV-C in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HIV coinfection.

Patients and Methods:

We retrospectively studied 105 injecting drug users with chronic hepatitis C and HIV coinfection and 72 patients with chronic HCV mono-infections. Plasma samples were tested for GBV-C RNA with primers to the 5’untranslated region gene. HIV and HCV viral load, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell count, and the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were tested in all patients.

Results:

GBV-C RNA was identified in 34 (32.38%) of the patients with HIV/HCV coinfection, and in 24 (33.33%) of the patients with HCV mono-infection. GBV-C infection was associated with significantly lower ALT and AST levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HIV coinfection, but not in those HCV mono-infections. The presence of GBV-C infection was not correlated with CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell count, gender, age, HIV load, HCV load, and HCV genotype.

Conclusions:

This study found that GBV-C infection has a high frequency among injecting drug users with HIV/HCV coinfection and HCV mono-infection in Yunnan, China. In patients with chronic hepatitis C and HIV coinfection, GBV-C RNA was associated with significantly lower ALT and AST levels, suggesting a beneficial effect of GBV-C infection on chronic hepatitis C.     

HCV RNA levels in a multiethnic cohort of injection drug users: human genetic, viral and demographic associations

In patients with chronic hepatitis C, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA level is an important predictor of treatment response. To explore the relationship of HCV RNA with viral and demographic factors, as well as IL28B genotype, we examined viral levels in an ethnically diverse group of injection drug users (IDUs). Between 1998 and 2000, the Urban Health Study (UHS) recruited IDUs from street settings in San Francisco Bay area neighborhoods. Participants who were positive by HCV enzyme immunoassay were tested for HCV viremia by a branched-chain DNA assay. HCV genotype was determined by sequencing the HCV nonstructural 5B protein region. For a subset of participants, IL28B rs12979860 genotype was determined by Taqman. Among 1,701 participants with HCV viremia, median age was 46 years and median duration of injection drug use was 26 years; 56.0% were African American and 34.0% were of European ancestry (non-Hispanic). Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) prevalence was 13.9%. The overall median HCV RNA level was 6.45 log(10) copies/mL. In unadjusted analyses, higher levels were found with older age, male gender, African-American ancestry, hepatitis B virus infection, HIV-1 infection, and IL28B rs12979860-CC genotype; compared to participants infected with HCV genotype 1, HCV RNA was lower in participants with genotypes 3 or 4. In an adjusted analysis, age, gender, racial ancestry, HIV-1 infection, HCV genotype, and IL28B rs12979860 genotype were all independently associated with HCV RNA. CONCLUSION: The level of HCV viremia is influenced by a large number of demographic, viral, and human genetic factors.     

Deficiency of forkhead box P3 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 gene expressions and impaired suppressor function of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

Aim: Recently, forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related gene (GITR), and CD28 were identified as the key molecules that control the development and activation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T-reg). We investigated the expression pattern of these molecules on T-reg, and investigated the ability of T-reg to produce cytokines in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Methods: Fifteen patients with AIH and nine healthy patients were included. To determine the frequency of T-reg, a two-color flow cytometry analysis was performed. T-reg were isolated using immunomagnetic beads, and the mRNA levels of Foxp3, CTLA-4, GITR, and CD28 were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The ability of T-reg to produce interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha after stimulation by OKT3 was evaluated by measuring the levels of mRNA in T-reg by real-time PCR. Results: The frequency of T-reg was increased in AIH. The mRNA levels of Foxp3 and CTLA-4 were significantly lower in AIH. The ability of T-reg to produce IL-10 was impaired in AIH. Conclusion: We speculate that the inferiority of the Foxp3 and CTLA-4 gene expressions on T-reg results in the impaired suppressor function of T-reg, and eventually in the breakdown of self-tolerance.     

Deficiency of forkhead box P3 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 gene expressions and impaired suppressor function of CD4+CD25+ T cells in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

Aim:  Recently, forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related gene (GITR), and CD28 were identified as the key molecules that control the development and activation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (T-reg). We investigated the expression pattern of these molecules on T-reg, and investigated the ability of T-reg to produce cytokines in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).
Methods:  Fifteen patients with AIH and nine healthy patients were included. To determine the frequency of T-reg, a two-color flow cytometry analysis was performed. T-reg were isolated using immunomagnetic beads, and the mRNA levels of Foxp3 , CTLA-4, GITR , and CD28 were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The ability of T-reg to produce interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α after stimulation by OKT3 was evaluated by measuring the levels of mRNA in T-reg by real-time PCR.
Results:  The frequency of T-reg was increased in AIH. The mRNA levels of Foxp3 and CTLA-4 were significantly lower in AIH. The ability of T-reg to produce IL-10 was impaired in AIH.
Conclusion:  We speculate that the inferiority of the Foxp3 and CTLA-4 gene expressions on T-reg results in the impaired suppressor function of T-reg, and eventually in the breakdown of self-tolerance.     

IL28B genetic variation and hepatitis C virus–specific CD4+ T‐cell responses in anti‐HCV‐positive blood donors

Summary. Epidemiological, viral and host factors are associated with the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and strong host immune responses against HCV favour viral clearance. Recently, genome‐wide association studies have shown a strong correlation between single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin‐28B (IL28B) gene and spontaneous or treatment‐induced HCV clearance. We have investigated whether protective IL28B genetic variants are associated with HCV‐specific T‐cell responses among Spanish blood donors. The rs12979860 IL28B haplotype was determined in 69 anti‐HCV‐positive blood donors (21 HCV RNA negative and 48 HCV RNA positive) and 30 seronegative donors. In all cases, HCV‐specific CD4⁺ T‐cell responses to HCV recombinant proteins (core, NS3 and NS3 helicase) were assessed by ex vivo interferon‐γ ELISpot assay. The rs12979860‐CC genotype was highly overrepresented in donors with spontaneous HCV clearance when compared to those with chronic infection (76.2%vs 29.2%, P < 0.001; odds ratio, 7.77; 95% confidence interval, 2.4–25.3, P < 0.001). HCV‐specific CD4⁺ T‐cell responses were detected in 16 (76.2%) spontaneous resolvers especially towards nonstructural proteins, but with no correlation with IL28B genotype. Chronic individuals had a significantly lower overall T‐cell response again irrespective of IL28B genotype. When spontaneous resolvers and chronic individuals were stratified according to their IL28B genotype, significantly stronger T‐cell responses were only observed among those with non‐CC haplotypes. Although the protective rs12979860 IL28B CC genotype is associated with spontaneous HCV clearance, stronger CD4⁺ T‐cell responses towards NS3 were only evident among those with non‐CC haplotypes.     

Clinical, virological and histopathological features: long-term follow-up in patients with chronic hepatitis C co-infected with S. mansoni

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Infection with Schistosoma mansoni is endemic in Egypt leading to hepatic schistosomiasis and eventually portal hypertension. The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis virus C among Egyptians is 14-51%. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of schistosomiasis on chronic hepatitis C with respect to the natural course of the disease, immunology, virology and histology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six Egyptian patients classified into three groups: group A: chronic hepatitis C (n=33); group B: chronic schistosomiasis (n=30) and group C: chronic hepatitis C and chronic schistosomiasis (n=63) were enrolled and prospectively followed for 62.7 +/- 22 months. Patients infected with other hepatic viruses and/or parasites were excluded. Detailed history, clinical examination, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts in blood, hematological and blood chemical values, abdominal ultrasonography, upper endoscopy, HCV RNA titer by RT/PCR, genotype and histological activity index in the liver biopsy were determined. RESULTS: Thirty patients (48%) with HCV and schistosomiasis had liver cirrhosis and Child-Pugh class C vs. five (15%) in HCV patients and none in the schistosomal group. HCV RNA levels ranged between 0.07 and 13 x 10(5) copies/ml in group A, and between 1 and 25 x 10(5) copies/ml in group C. HCV genotype 4 was detected in 58 patients with co-infection (92%) and 21 patients with HCV alone (64%). Patients with coinfection showed higher grading and staging scores in their liver biopsies. Hepatocellular carcinoma was detected only in patients with coinfection. During follow-up, the mortality rate was 12%, 3% and 48% in group A, B and C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with concomitant HCV and schistosomiasis infection were characterized by more advanced liver disease, higher HCV RNA titers, predominance of HCV genotype 4, higher histologic activity, higher incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma as well as a much higher mortality rate.     

Genetic variation in IL28B and treatment-induced clearance of hepatitis C virus in HIV-positive patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C

Recently, a IL28B (rs 12979860) gene polymorphism was identified as a predictor for response to hepatitis C virus-specific treatment in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected and -infected patients with chronic hepatitis C. In an analysis of HIV-infected patients with acute hepatitis C, we found that the IL28B genotype was associated with serum levels of hepatitis C virus RNA, g-GT, and CD4 cell count. In contrast to HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C, the IL28B genotype was not significantly associated with treatment response rates in patients with acute hepatitis C. Thus, effects of the IL28B single-nucleotide polymorphism may differ in HIV-infected patients with chronic and acute hepatitis C.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者病毒基因分型与血清HCV RNA水平的关系探讨

目的研究HCV基因型的分布,以探讨不同基因型感染者血清HCV RNA载量的差异。方法采用PCR法检测218例慢性丙型肝炎患者血清HCV RNA;采用ELISA法检测抗-HCV抗体;使用全自动生化分析仪测定丙氨酸氨基转移酶;采用化学发光免疫分析法测定血清肝纤维化指标;采用基因芯片法进行HCV基因分型。结果在218例HCV RNA阳性血清中共检出9种基因型,分别是lb、2a、3a、3b、6型单基因型共208例和lb+2a、lb+3b、lb+6型、2a+3a共10例四种混合基因型,其中以lb型168例(77.1%)、2a型19例(8.7%)为主;在208例HCV单基因型感染患者中发现不同基因型感染者血清HCV RNA载量无统计学差异(F=0.932,P>0.05);在168例1b基因型和40例非lb基因型感染者,性别差异无统计学意义(x2=0.857,P>0.05),两型感染者之间肝纤维化指标差别比较也无统计学意义。结论我国HCV基因型以lb型为主,基因型与HCV RNA载量及ALT水平之间无相关性。