Proinflammatory Cytokines IL-2, IL-6 and TNF Alpha as Immunoseralogic Indicators of Chronic Viral Hepatitis B and C in Children

Raba Tatiana

doi:10.13189/ujmsj.2018.060101

Abstract

The role of proinflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-a in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B and C infection was studied in 49 children ages 3 to 18 years. There has been concluded that high IL-2 and low IL-6 serum levels related to hepatic inflammatory activity did not depend on viremia levels. Slow progression of the disease was associated with an insignificant increase of IL-6 and normal TNF-a serum levels. The study results show the importance of proinflammatory cytokines as diagnostic and prognostic indicators in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B and C in children.

Highlights

Pathogenetic mechanisms and factors that lead to chronic hepatitis B and C viral infections in children, including the perinatal ones, as well as the role of proinflammatory cytokines have not been sufficiently studied yet
The success of elimination and resolution of hepatitis B and C viral infection depends on the age and the immune status of the patient
Cellular immunity has been studied in 49 patients by using monoclonal reactants, whereas the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-2, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been studied in 49 children with chronic HBV and HCV [Table 3]

Summary

Introduction

Pathogenetic mechanisms and factors that lead to chronic hepatitis B and C viral infections in children, including the perinatal ones, as well as the role of proinflammatory cytokines have not been sufficiently studied yet. The success of elimination and resolution of hepatitis B and C viral infection depends on the age and the immune status of the patient. Most chronic HBV and HCV perinatal infections commonly occur by both vertical (from mother to child) and horizontal transmission, as well as in immunocompromised patients. The immune determinants of a successful HBV clearance haven’t been entirely understood, whereas both cellular and humoral immune responses are important. Cytokines are important mediators between specific and nonspecific, humoral and cellular immunity, providing a protective response of the body against the inflammatory process [1, 4, 8].

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Results