Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Generation of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells from Whole Blood
Published on: December 24, 2016
Monocyte-derived dendritic cells in children with chronic hepatitis C: correlation with interferon and ribavirin
Mohammed A Khedr1, Behairy E Behairy, Mohsen E Hussein
1aPediatric Department, National Liver Institute, Menofia University bPediatric Department, Quesna Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Menofia cImmunology Research Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection impairs dendritic cell (DC) function, leading to lower interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production. This defect in DC function may explain poor T-cell responses in patients with chronic HCV.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a significant global health challenge.
- Impaired T-cell responsiveness in HCV is potentially linked to defective dendritic cell (DC) activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dendritic cell (DC) function in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).
- To determine the correlation between DC function and treatment response in CHC patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 30 CHC patients and 30 controls.
- Assessed DC function by measuring IFN-γ and IL-10 levels after R848-induced maturation.
- Monitored HCV-RNA levels during pegylated interferon-α-2b/ribavirin therapy.
Main Results:
- CHC patients exhibited significantly lower IFN-γ production compared to controls.
- Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were significantly higher in CHC patients than in controls.
- No significant differences in IFN-γ or IL-10 levels were observed between treatment responders and nonresponders.
Conclusions:
- HCV infection is associated with impaired IFN-γ production.
- This impairment suggests a potential defect in dendritic cell (DC) function in CHC patients.
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem worldwide. Defective dendritic cell (DC) activation of T cells may underlie poor T-cell responsiveness in HCV infection.
Objective:
To evaluate the DCs' functions in chronically infected HCV patients and its correlation with the response to therapy.
Patients And Methods:
This prospective study included 30 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and 30 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. The first group received combined pegylated interferon-α-2b (Peg-IFN-α2b)/ribavirin therapy for 48 weeks. A quantitative HCV-RNA PCR was performed for all patients before treatment and at 12, 24, 48, and 24 weeks after treatment. To clarify the functions of DCs, we induced maturation of peripheral DCs from blood samples of CHC patients and healthy controls using Resiquimod (R848). The functions of DCs were assessed by measurement of the levels of IFN-γ and interleukin-10 (IL-10).
Results:
Sixteen (53.3%) of the patients were treatment responders and the other 14 (46.4%) were nonresponders. The current study showed a statistically significant difference between CHC patients and the control group in IFN-γ production, which was higher in the control group (1.53±0.38 IU/ml) than in the CHC patients (1.19±0.21 IU/ml); in contrast, IL-10 was higher in CHC (249.4±27.6 pg/ml) than the control group (217.0±29.9 pg/ml). However, there was no significant difference between treatment responders and nonresponders in both IFN-γ and IL-10 levels.
Conclusion:
HCV infection is associated with impaired production of IFN-γ, which may be an indication of a defect in DC function.
More Related Videos
08:31Characterization of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells by Imaging Flow Cytometry: A Comparison between Two Monocyte Isolation Protocols
Published on: October 18, 2016
10:37Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix
Published on: October 20, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hepatitis
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...