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Hepatitis C virus genotype and HIV coinfection affect cytokine mRNA levels in unstimulated PBMC but do not shift the T1/T2 balance
Author(s) -
Lee Silvia,
Watson Mark W,
Clark Ben,
Flexman James P,
Cheng Wendy,
French Martyn AH,
Price Patricia
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1711.2006.01451.x
Subject(s) - hepatitis c virus , coinfection , genotype , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , immunology , hepatitis c , cytokine , virology , hepacivirus , biology , medicine , virus , in vitro , gene , biochemistry
Rapid progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease in patients with HIV/HCV may reflect different cytokine responses and be influenced by HCV genotype. This is addressed by a study of patients with HIV/HCV coinfection and infection with HCV genotype 2 or 3 (2/3). They are compared with coinfected patients infected with genotype 1 and HCV monoinfected patients matched for HCV genotype. IFN‐γ, IL‐10, IL‐4 and IL‐4δ2 mRNA were quantified by real‐time PCR in unstimulated PBMC and after in vitro stimulation with HCV core or nonstructural 3/4A antigen. In unstimulated PBMC, levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐4 mRNA were lowest in HIV/HCV genotype 1 patients, intermediate in HIV/HCV genotype 2/3 patients and highest in HCV genotype 2/3 patients. Neither HCV genotype nor HIV affected levels of IL‐10 mRNA in unstimulated PBMC or IFN‐γ, IL‐4 and IL‐10 mRNA in PBMC stimulated with HCV antigens. Levels of IL‐4 and IL‐4δ2 mRNA correlated in mitogen‐stimulated PBMC from all patient groups but both were low in HIV/HCV genotype 1 patients. Serum soluble CD30 levels (a putative marker of a T2 cytokine environment) did not differ between patient groups. The data do not suggest a shift in the T1/T2 balance driven by HIV coinfection or HCV genotype but either may affect IL‐4 bioavailability.