Human defensins and Th-1 cytokines in hepatitis C viral infection
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Date
2020
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Pan African Medical Journal
Abstract
Introduction: active or chronic exacerbated forms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection subsequently progress to liver disease and human defensins has
been determined to have some level of anti-viral properties invitro whilst the expression of T helper-1 cytokines is known to promote complete recovery from acute HCV infection. The study sought to determine relationship between these immune responses. Methods: a cross sectional descriptive study design was employed. Hundred and thirty-two individuals were assessed were assessed for to anti-HCV, HCV RNA, serum levels of human alpha defensins 1 (HAD-1) and human beta defensins 1 (HBD-1). T helper 1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN gamma, TNF alpha) secreted in serum were also analyzed using commercial ELISA assay. The study was conducted in Kumasi, Obuasi and Daboya in Ghana. Results: the serum mean concentrations of HAD-1, HBD-1, IL-2, IFN gamma and TNF alpha showed no significant difference in concentrations among participants with chronic, spontaneously recovered or negative to HCV infection (p>0.05). Persons with hepatitis B co-infection were more likely to develop chronic HCV infection (p=0.039). HAD-1 and HBD-1 showed significant positive
association with IL-2 (p=0.000) whilst only HAD-1 positively correlated with IL-2 (p<0.000).
Conclusion: the immunological markers determined had no association with the status of HCV infection. HAD-1 increased with increasing levels of IL-2.
These findings suggest that during HCV infection, inflammatory response through the production of cytokines by IL-2 cells may affect the release of
HAD-1 and HBD-1.
Description
This is an article published by Dorcas Ohui Owusu et al. Human defensins and Th-1 cytokines in hepatitis C viral infection. Pan African Medical Journal. 2020;37(103). 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.103.25211
Available online at: https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com//content/article/37/103/full
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Citation
Dorcas Ohui Owusu et al. Human defensins and Th-1 cytokines in hepatitis C viral infection. Pan African Medical Journal. 2020;37(103). 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.103.25211 Available online at: https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com//content/article/37/103/full