A study of some hepatic immunological markers, iron load and virus genotype in chronic hepatitis C

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Cardoso, EM (Author) Other; Duarte, MA (Author) Other; Ribeiro, E (Author) Other; Rodrigues, P (Author) ICBAS; Hultcrantz, R (Author) Other; Sampaio, P (Author) Other; Ehrlich, R (Author) Other; Carvalho, J (Author) Other; Fraga, J (Author) Other; de Sousa, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Hepatology

Vol. 41

Pages: 319-326

ISSN: 0168-8278

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-977

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2004.04.027

Abstract (EN): Background/Aims: Host factors that may influence progression of hepatitis C infection to chronic hepatitis include T-cell responses and iron accumulation. We evaluated the hepatic expression of immunological markers relevant for a cytotoxic response in relation to viral and HFE genotype. Methods: Frozen liver biopsies were obtained at diagnosis from 28 HFE genotyped patients. Sections stained for CD8, MHC-1, beta(2)m, HFE and CD68 were analyzed blind by morphometry. Response to therapy was available in 12 cases. Results: A negative correlation was found between the number of CD8(+) cells and fibrosis. CD8(+) cells localized as clusters in portal tracts and sinusoids and were seen interacting with MHC-1 positive lining cells. MHC-I and beta(2)M were expressed mainly in the endothelial and Kupffer cells. HFE was expressed in most, but not all, round and dendritic CD68(+) cells. Patients with virus genotype 3a had higher hepatic MHC-I and HFE expression, and a better-sustained response to IFN therapy than other patients. Conclusions: In chronic hepatitis C virus infection MHC-1 expression in the liver seems to relate to viral-genotype. In addition, the expression of MHC-I molecules by Kupffer cells places them as probable important players in the host response to HCV.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8