CYTOKINE PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC VIRUS HEPATITIS COMPLICATED WITH FIBROSIS AND CIRRHOSIS

Abstract. In present study, a comparative analysis of spontaneous and LPS-stimulated production of Th1/ Th2 (IFN-γ/IL-4, IL-13), and monocyte-derived pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-10) was carried out in blood cell cultures of healthy donors and the patients with chronic viral hepatitis complicated with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The patients’ cells exhibited an increased production of both Th1/proinflammatory and Th2/anti-inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, hepatitis-induced cirrhotic transformation correlates with enhancement of spontaneous IL-4 and IL-13 production (not observed in fibrosis patients), and progressive increase of spontaneous IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10 secretion. In turn, the progression of cirrhosis is connected with increase of pro-inflammatory blood activity and reduction of anti-inflammatory potential. E.g., the patients with grade C cirrhosis have significantly higher index of TNF-α/IL-10 and IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio, as compared to the grade A patients. Moreover, we revealed a positive correlation of TNF-α/IL-10 ratio with cytolysis and severity of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score), and a reverse correlation between the grade of liver cirrhosis and LPS-induced stimulation index of IL-10. Predominance of pro-inflammatory cytokines, displayed as increased IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio, was also associated with presence of anemia. Hence, the profile of cytokines produced by peripheral blood cells reflects some clinical features in the patients with chronic virus hepatitis complicated with fibrosis and cirrhosis.

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