Interleukin-22 and Chemokine Interferon γ -Inducible-10 (IP-10) Levels in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients and Treatment Response to Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin Therapy

IL-22 plays a vital role in improving hepatic damage by targeting hepatocytes that express high levels of IL-22 receptor1. IP-10 is a chemokine that recruit mononuclear cells to liver parenchyma and improves the host immune response against hepatitis C virus. The study targeted 27 patients with chronic HCV who received pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin. IL-22 and IP-10 serum levels were measured by Elisa. The level of the serum IL-22 is higher in HCV patients groups receiving the antiviral treatment compared to control group and its levels significantly increased with response to treatment. The level of the serum IP-10 is higher in HCV patients groups compared to control group and its level significantly decreased with effective antiviral treatment. In conclusion, IL-22 and IP-10 levels could be used with a high sensitivity and specificity during antiviral treatment of HCV infected patients as predictive markers for treatment response.