Is interleukin-8 an additional to histopathological changes diagnostic marker in HCV-infected patients with
Joanna Cielecka-Kuszyk1, Joanna Siennicka1, Joanna Jabłońska2
1Department of Virology, National Institute of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene, 24, Chocimska Street, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with cryoglobulinemia show higher serum inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-8, and more liver inflammation than those without. Microscopic liver changes did not correlate with cytokine levels.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to liver damage and is associated with cryoglobulinemia.
- Cryoglobulinemia, a condition involving abnormal proteins in the blood, can manifest with various extrahepatic symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate histopathological liver changes and serum inflammatory cytokine levels in HCV-infected patients with and without cryoglobulinemia.
- To compare these parameters between HCV patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Liver biopsy analysis using the Batts and Ludwig classification for grading and staging.
- Quantification of serum cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, TNF-α) via flow cytometry.
- Study included 34 HCV patients (10 with cryoglobulinemia) and 21 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- HCV patients with cryoglobulinemia were older and showed slightly more prominent liver necroinflammation.
- Prominent inflammatory changes and extrahepatic manifestations (skin, kidney, nerve, joint) were observed in some cryoglobulinemic patients.
- Liver fibrosis levels were comparable between HCV patients with and without cryoglobulinemia.
Conclusions:
- Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, especially IL-8, were significantly elevated in HCV patients with cryoglobulinemia compared to those without and healthy individuals.
- No correlation was found between microscopic liver features and the levels of investigated proinflammatory cytokines.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to analyze histopathological changes in the liver and serum inflammatory cytokine level in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with and without cryoglobulinemia.
Methods:
The study group consisted of 34 patients with chronic hepatitis C, confirmed by serological and virological markers. Ten out of 34 patients had cryoglobulinemia. The control group consisted of 21 healthy persons. Liver biopsy specimens of HCV-infected patients were evaluated by light microscopy using the grade and the stage according to Batts and Ludwig classification. The quantitative measurements of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor in sera were performed by flow cytometry.
Results:
The mean age of HCV-infected patients with cryoglobulinemia was higher than age of HCV-infected patients without cryoglobulinemia. Microscopic examination of liver biopsy specimens revealed necroinflammatory activity slightly more prominent in patients with cryoglobulinemia. The most prominent inflammatory changes connected with abundant lymphoid aggregates in most of the examined portal tracts and piecemeal necroses were diagnosed in patients with several extrahepatic manifestations, such as cutaneous manifestations, nephrotic syndrome, polyneuropathy, and arthropathy. Liver fibrosis was similar in patients with and without cryoglobulinemia.
Conclusions:
The serum levels of all proinflammatory cytokines, especially IL-8, were significantly higher in the patients with cryoglobulinemia in comparison with the patients without cryoglobulinemia and healthy persons. All microscopic features did not correlate with the level of any investigated proinflammatory cytokines.
