Immunological Effects Following Administration of Interferon-α in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (cHCV) Infection

Abstract The immunological effects of interferon (IFN)-α administration were evaluated in 15 patients with cHCV infection. Individuals were treated with 6 MU of lymphoblastoid IFN-α three times a week for 6 months and with 3 MU three times a week for an additional 6 months. Patients were divided into responders (12 subjects) and nonresponders (3 subjects) respectively according to alanine aminotransferase serum levels at the end of treatment. Before therapy (To) absolute numbers of CD3+ CD4+ CD8+ CD14+ and CD16+ cells were significantly reduced in both groups when compared to normal values. At the same time all patients displayed a profound decrease of phagocytosis and killing exerted by both polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes (MO). However MO Killing resulted to be normal in the responder group. With special reference to T cell function T cell mediated antibacterial activity using Salmonella typhi as a target was also significantly reduced. After therapy (T12) in responder patients a significant increase of CD3+ CD4+ CD14+ and CD16+ cell absolute numbers was observed while phagocytic and T cell functions were still depressed. Among the nonresponders in two of three patients IFN-α administration gave rise to an increase (above normality) of CD3+ CD4+ CD8+ CD14+ CD16+ and CD20+ cell absolute numbers while in one patient the same markers dramatically dropped below normal range. In two patients antibacterial activity was significantly augmented by IFN-α treatment whereas in one patient no modification was observed. Finally in the same patients IFN-α did not correct PMN and MO pretreatment deficits.