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Cytokines profile in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B infection

Camilla Rodrigues de Almeida Ribeiro1, Daniela Gois Beghini2, Andreza Salvio Lemos1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Microbiology and Immunology
|October 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection elevates key cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-6, particularly in acute cases. These cytokines may play a role in viral clearance and preventing chronic infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health concern causing acute and chronic hepatitis.
  • Immune responses, regulated by cytokines, are crucial in determining HBV infection outcomes (elimination or persistence).
  • Understanding cytokine profiles in HBV infection is vital for developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the cytokine profiles (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A) in patients with acute and chronic HBV infection.
  • To investigate the association between these cytokine profiles and HBV genotypes.
  • To explore the correlation between cytokine levels and disease severity (acute vs. chronic).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 66 plasma samples from patients with acute (n=19) and chronic (n=47) HBV infection, plus 10 healthy controls.
  • Biochemical tests, nested-PCR, and real-time PCR were performed.
  • Cytokine levels were quantified using a BD Cytometric Bead Array Human Th1/Th2/Th17 Cytokine Kit.

Main Results:

  • All measured cytokines were significantly elevated in HBV-infected individuals compared to healthy controls.
  • Strong positive correlations were observed among IFN-γ, TNF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2.
  • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-10, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the acute hepatitis B group compared to chronic and control groups.

Conclusions:

  • Cytokine profiles differ between acute and chronic HBV infection, with higher levels of TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-6 in acute cases.
  • These specific cytokines may be involved in the host's immune response to eliminate HBV and prevent disease chronicity.
  • No correlation was found between HBV genotypes, viral load, and the analyzed cytokine profiles.

Keywords:
cytokineshepatitis Bimmune response

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