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The proportion of different interleukin‐17‐producing T‐cell subsets is associated with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C
Author(s) -
Cachem Fabio C. O. F.,
Dias Aleida S.,
Monteiro Clarice,
Castro José Roberto,
Fernandes Gabriel,
Delphim Letícia,
Almeida Adilson J.,
Tavares Felipe,
Maciel Alessandra M. A.,
AmendolaPires Marcia M.,
BrandãoMello Carlos E.,
Bento Cleonice A. M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.12720
Subject(s) - immunology , alanine transaminase , interleukin , hepatitis c virus , aspartate transaminase , interferon , fibrosis , interleukin 17 , hepatitis , t cell , interleukin 4 , hepatitis c , biology , medicine , cytokine , virus , immune system , enzyme , alkaline phosphatase , biochemistry
Summary Studies have suggested the pivotal role of T helper type 1 (Th1) ‐related cytokines on the outcome of hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) infection. Nevertheless, the role of different interleukin‐17 ( IL ‐17) ‐secreting T cells on chronic hepatitis C ( CHC ) is less clear. Here, the in vivo IL ‐1 β , IL ‐6, and IL ‐17 levels were positively correlated with both alanine transaminase ( ALT ) levels and hepatic lesions. When compared with the control group, CHC patients showed a lower proportion of IL ‐17‐secreting ( CD 4 + and CD 8 + ) T cells capable of simultaneously producing IL ‐21. Moreover, the percentage of IL ‐10‐secreting Th17 cells was also lower in CHC patients. Notably, advanced liver lesions were observed among those patients with lower percentage levels of IL ‐17‐producing T cells positive for IL ‐21, interferon‐ γ ( IFN ‐ γ ) and IL ‐10. In contrast, the severity of hepatic damage was associated with peripheral single IL ‐17 + T cells. The percentage of IL ‐17 + IL ‐21 – IFN ‐ γ + ( CD 4 + and CD 8 + ) T‐cell phenotypes was positively associated with plasma CD 14 levels. Finally, elevated levels of circulating CD 14 were detected among CHC patients with extensive liver damage. In summary, although preliminary, our results suggest that a balance between different IL ‐17‐producing T cells, associated with peripheral levels of CD 14, may be a progress marker for liver disease in chronically HCV ‐infected patients.