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Pimkova Polidarova M, Brehova P, Dejmek M, Birkus G, Brazdova A. STING Agonist-Mediated Cytokine Secretion Is Accompanied by Monocyte Apoptosis. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:463-471. [PMID: 35132859 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes) pathway plays a crucial role in inducing an antiviral and antitumor immune response. We studied the effects of synthetic STING agonists on several immune populations and related cytokine production. In comparison with the toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist, STING agonists induced secretion of a broader proinflammatory cytokine spectrum. Unlike the TLR7 agonist, the structurally diverse STING agonists partially depleted B and NK cells and completely depleted CD14+ monocytes via induction of apoptosis. The TANK-binding kinase 1 inhibitor efficiently prevented interferon alpha (IFNα) secretion and cell depletion, suggesting their possible dependence on the cGAS-STING pathway activation. Finally, IFNα, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1 beta secretion and CD14+ monocyte apoptosis were primary responses to STING agonists, whereas IFNγ was secreted secondarily. These findings bring new insights into the cGAS-STING pathway immunomodulation that is of future therapeutic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Pimkova Polidarova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 2, Prague 16000, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, Prague 12800, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Brehova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 2, Prague 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Dejmek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 2, Prague 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriel Birkus
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 2, Prague 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Brazdova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 2, Prague 16000, Czech Republic
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Letizia A, Eller MA, Polyak C, Eller LA, Creegan M, Dawson P, Bryant C, D K, Crowell TA, Lombardi K, Rono E, Robb ML, Michael NL, Maswai J, Ake JA. Biomarkers of Inflammation Correlate With Clinical Scoring Indices in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Kenyans. J Infect Dis 2019; 219:284-294. [PMID: 30165548 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In high-income countries, inflammation has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals despite treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, these findings may not be generalizable to low-income settings. Methods In this cross-sectional study, multivariable linear regression was used to compare 28 inflammatory biomarker levels in HIV-infected and -uninfected participants. Correlations between biomarkers and Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index, Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, and Framingham risk score were assessed. Results Plasma samples from 304 Kenyans were analyzed. Compared to HIV-uninfected controls, virologically suppressed HIV-infected participants had higher levels of CCL5, CXCL10, fatty acid binding protein (FABP) 2, fas ligand (FASLG), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, MMP7, soluble CD14 (sCD14), and soluble CD163 (sCD163) and lower MMP9 (P < .01). CD4+/HLA-DR+CD38+ (ρ = 0.32; P < .001), sCD14 (ρ = 0.25; P = .004), and sCD163 (ρ = 0.24; P = .006) were correlated with the VACS index. FABP2 was positively correlated (ρ = 0.29; P = .002), whereas MMP1 (ρ = -.32; P < .001) and MMP2 (ρ = -0.28; P = .002) were inversely correlated with the FIB-4 score. Conclusions Differences in biomarker levels exist between well-controlled HIV-infected participants on ART and uninfected controls. Some biomarkers are correlated to scoring indices predictive of morbidity and mortality. These biomarkers could serve as prognostic indicators and inform therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Letizia
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda
| | - Michael A Eller
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | - Christina Polyak
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda.,US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | - Leigh Anne Eller
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | - Matthew Creegan
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | | | | | - Kim D
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | - Trevor A Crowell
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda.,US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | - Kara Lombardi
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | - Eric Rono
- Kenya Medical Research Institute/Walter Reed Project.,HJF Medical Research International, Inc, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Merlin L Robb
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda
| | - Nelson L Michael
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring
| | - Jonah Maswai
- Kenya Medical Research Institute/Walter Reed Project.,HJF Medical Research International, Inc, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Julie A Ake
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring
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Dou Y, van Montfoort N, van den Bosch A, Janssen HLA, de Man RA, Buschow SI, Woltman AM. Elevated serum levels of soluble CD14 in HBeAg-positive chronic HBV patients upon Peginterferon treatment are associated with treatment response. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1076-1085. [PMID: 31090247 PMCID: PMC6852593 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Pegylated IFNα (PEG-IFN) is one of the treatment options for chronic HBV (CHB) patients. However, the high patient treatment burden and limited response rate together clearly ask for biomarkers to predict PEG-IFN response. Soluble CD14 (sCD14) is considered a marker for immune activation and has been shown to predict clinical outcome of HIV infection. However, studies on sCD14 in CHB infection are inconclusive, and its relationship with clinical outcome is largely unknown. Here, we measured sCD14 levels in CHB patients and investigated whether changes in sCD14 level related to PEG-IFN response. Serum sCD14 levels were determined in 15 healthy controls, 15 acute self-limited HBV, 60 CHB patients in different disease phases and 94 HBeAg+ CHB patients at week 0 and week 12 of a 52-week PEG-IFN treatment. Response to PEG-IFN treatment was defined as HBeAg seroconversion or HBeAg loss at 26 weeks post-treatment. The mean sCD14 level in acute HBV patients (3.0 µg/mL) was significantly higher than in CHB patients (2.4 µg/mL) and healthy controls (2.4 µg/mL). In CHB patients receiving PEG-IFN, a significant increase in sCD14 was found after 12-week treatment (median week 0:2.1 µg/mL; week 12:3.7 µg/mL). After 12-week treatment, the fold change (FC = w12/w0) in sCD14 was significantly higher in responders compared to nonresponders (HBeAg seroconversion: median FCresponder = 2.1 vs FCnonresponder = 1.6; HBeAg loss: median FCresponder = 2.2 vs FCnonresponder = 1.5). Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that FC-sCD14wk12/wk0 levels can be of significant value as a stopping rule to select patients at week 12 who are not likely to benefit from further PEG-IFN treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Dou
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands,Present address:
Department of Medical OncologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Aniek van den Bosch
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Harry L. A. Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands,Present address:
Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General HospitalUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - Robert A. de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Sonja I. Buschow
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Andrea M. Woltman
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands,Institute of Medical Education Research RotterdamErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
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Baroncelli S, Galluzzo CM, Liotta G, Andreotti M, Ciccacci F, Mancinelli S, Tolno VT, Gondwe J, Amici R, Marazzi MC, Vella S, Giuliano M, Palombi L, Palmisano L. Soluble CD14 levels in plasma and breastmilk of Malawian HIV+ women: Lack of association with morbidity and mortality in their exposed infants. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 79. [PMID: 29323435 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Data on soluble CD14 (sCD14) during pregnancy and lactation are scarce. We assessed the levels of sCD14 in plasma and breastmilk of Malawian HIV-positive women and evaluated the possible association with morbidity and mortality in the HIV-exposed children. METHOD OF STUDY One hundred and forty-nine mother/child pairs were studied. Women received antiretroviral therapy from 26 weeks of gestation to at least 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. sCD14 concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS sCD14 levels measured at 26 weeks of pregnancy (median: 1418 ng/mL, IQR: 1086-1757) were inversely correlated to maternal CD4+ cell count (r = -.283, P = .001) and to neonatal birthweight (r = -.233, P = .008). At 6 months, sCD14 plasma levels were significantly higher compared to baseline (1993 ng/mL, IQR: 1482-2604, P < .001), and breastmilk sCD14 levels (7668 ng/mL, IQR: 5495-10207) were 4-fold higher than in plasma (although the concentrations in the two compartments were not correlated). No association was found between sCD14 levels in plasma or breastmilk and morbidity or mortality in children. CONCLUSION Higher sCD14 levels in HIV-positive women were associated with a more compromised maternal immunological status and to a lower neonatal birthweight, but not to poorer clinical outcomes in the HIV-exposed children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Baroncelli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Liotta
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Andreotti
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Mancinelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Jane Gondwe
- DREAM Program, Community of S. Egidio, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Roberta Amici
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Vella
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Giuliano
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Palombi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Palmisano
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Sohrabi P, Habip Z, Saribas S, Vatan A, Dinc HO, Altun YM, Ziver T, Caliskan R, Demirci M, Uysal O, Yuksel P, Kocazeybek B. Neopterin and soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels as immunoactivation markers in aHBc-only cases. Future Virol 2017. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2017-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Isolated hepatitis B core antibodies (aHBc)-only pattern complicates the diagnosis of HBV infections. We evaluated neopterin and sCD14 levels in HBV infections. Methods: aHBc-only (n: 102), healthy control (healthy control group [HCG], n: 100), and chronic hepatitis (CHB) groups (n: 70) were investigated. Competitive and sandwich ELISA were used. Results: The mean neopterin levels were significantly lower in the aHBc-only group than those in the CHB group (p = 0.0001). No significant difference was found between the aHBc-only group and the HCG (p = 0.854). The mean sCD14 levels were lower in the aHBc-only group than those in the CHB group (p = 0.0001), but no significant difference was found between the aHBc-only group and HCG (p = 0.402). No significant difference was detected between aHBc-only and HCG for mean sCD14 (p = 0.402) and neopterin levels (p = 0.854). Conclusion: These two biomarkers are not useful for diagnosing the aHBc only pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pari Sohrabi
- Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Research & Training Hospital, Microbiology Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zafer Habip
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Suat Saribas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Asli Vatan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Harika Oyku Dinc
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yagiz M Altun
- Institue of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tevhide Ziver
- Nutrition & dietic Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus
| | - Reyhan Caliskan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Demirci
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Omer Uysal
- Deparment of Biostatistics, Medical School of Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pelin Yuksel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bekir Kocazeybek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Elevated serum soluble CD14 levels in chronic HBV infection are significantly associated with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:6607-17. [PMID: 26643893 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4423-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CD14 and its soluble form sCD14 play important roles in immunity and are involved in the translocation of bacteria and their products which is related to the pathogenesis in chronic HBV infection. This study investigated serum sCD14 levels in HBV chronically infected patients with various clinical diseases. Serum sCD14 levels in HBV patients were significantly elevated compared with those of healthy controls. HCC patients had significantly highest levels of serum sCD14 across all the HBV-related diseases. Serum sCD14 levels significantly discriminated HCC from other HBV-related non-HCC diseases. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of sCD14 levels for HCC was significantly higher in comparison with other HBV-related non-HCC diseases. The AUC of sCD14 for HCC (0.868, 95 % CI 0.791-0.946, P < 0.001) was higher than that of alpha-fetoprotein (0.660, 95 % CI 0.508-0.811, P = 0.039). Serum level of sCD14 was associated with the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients, with sCD14 levels >20 ng/mL being significantly related to poorer OS (P = 0.017). Multivariate regression showed that serum sCD14 level was an independent factor associated with the OS rates of HBV-related HCC patients (HR 2.544, 95 % CI 1.169-5.538, P = 0.019). HCC resection resulted in a significant decrease of sCD14 levels (P < 0.001). These findings suggest the potential role of sCD14 in the pathogenesis of chronic HBV infection, especially the development of HCC, and the potential usefulness of sCD14 as a biomarker for discriminating clinical diseases and predicting survival of HCC patients in chronic HBV infection.
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Meuleman P, Libbrecht L, Wieland S, De Vos R, Habib N, Kramvis A, Roskams T, Leroux-Roels G. Immune suppression uncovers endogenous cytopathic effects of the hepatitis B virus. J Virol 2006; 80:2797-807. [PMID: 16501088 PMCID: PMC1395427 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.80.6.2797-2807.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2005] [Accepted: 12/27/2005] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the host's immune response rather than the virus itself is causing the hepatocellular damage seen in acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. However, in situations of severe immune suppression, chronic HBV patients may develop a considerable degree of liver disease. To examine whether HBV has direct cytopathic effects in severely immune compromised hosts, we have infected severe combined immune deficient mice (uPA-SCID), harboring human liver cells, with HBV. Serologic analysis of the plasma of HBV-infected animals revealed the presence of extremely high amounts of viral genomes and proteins. Histological analysis of the livers of uPA-SCID chimeras infected with HBV for more than 2 months showed that the majority of human hepatocytes had a ground-glass appearance, stained intensely for viral proteins, and showed signs of considerable damage and cell death. This histopathologic pattern closely resembles the picture observed in the livers of immunosuppressed HBV patients. These lesions were not observed in animals infected with HBV for less than 1 month. Ultrastructural analysis of long-term-infected hepatocytes showed a highly increased presence of cylindrical HBsAg structures, core particles, and Dane particles compared to short-term-infected hepatocytes. These long-term-infected hepatocytes also contained elevated amounts of HBV cccDNA. In conclusion, HBV causes dramatic intracellular changes and hepatocellular damage in the human hepatocytes that reside in a severely immune deficient mouse. These lesions show much resemblance to the ones encountered in immunosuppressed chronic HBV patients. Our observations indicate that HBV may be directly cytopathic in conditions of severe immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Meuleman
- Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University and Hospital, Building A, First Floor, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Meuleman P, Steyaert S, Libbrecht L, Couvent S, Van Houtte F, Clinckspoor F, de Hemptinne B, Roskams T, Vanlandschoot P, Leroux-Roels G. Human hepatocytes secrete soluble CD14, a process not directly influenced by HBV and HCV infection. Clin Chim Acta 2005; 366:156-62. [PMID: 16253217 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2005.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2005] [Revised: 09/22/2005] [Accepted: 09/22/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) patients have elevated plasma levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14). We examined whether human hepatocytes produce sCD14 in vivo, and whether HBV or HCV infections influence this chimeric production. METHODS uPA-SCID mice were transplanted with primary human hepatocytes and some animals were subsequently infected with HBV or HCV. Plasma from these mice was analyzed for the presence of human sCD14. The liver was examined via immunohistochemistry. RESULTS A soluble form of human CD14 could be detected in the plasma from successfully transplanted mice, while it was completely absent in non-transplanted control animals. The isoform of this human sCD14 corresponded with the most abundant isoform found in human plasma. CD14 levels in circulation were not significantly different between non-infected, HBV infected and HCV infected animals. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that human hepatocytes produce sCD14 in vivo, and that liver cells might be the major source of sCD14 in normal human plasma. In addition we demonstrate that HBV and HCV infections have no direct influence on the production of sCD14 by human hepatocytes in this chimeric model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Meuleman
- Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University and Hospital, Building A, 1st floor, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Carotenuto P, van Riel D, Artsen A, Bruijns S, Uytdehaag FG, Laman JD, van Nunen AB, Zondervan PE, De Man RA, Osterhaus AD, Pontesilli O. Antiviral treatment with alpha interferon up-regulates CD14 on liver macrophages and its soluble form in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49:590-9. [PMID: 15673738 PMCID: PMC547278 DOI: 10.1128/aac.49.2.590-599.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate whether therapy with alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) induces changes in intrahepatic antigen-presenting cells (APCs), we obtained liver biopsy specimens before, during, and after therapy with IFN-alpha from chronic hepatitis B patients whose viral load had already been reduced by at least 8 weeks of treatment with lamivudine. HLA-DR, CD1a, and CD83 were not modified by the therapy. The intralobular expression of CD68 on Kupffer cells remained stable, denoting no changes in the number of resident macrophages during IFN-alpha treatment. In contrast, CD14 was weakly expressed in the absence of IFN-alpha and was significantly up-regulated during therapy. At the same time, the levels of soluble CD14 and interleukin-10 in plasma increased significantly. In vitro, monocytes maintained in the presence of IFN-alpha differentiated into macrophages or dendritic cells with higher levels of expression of CD14 than that for the control cultures. During therapy with IFN-alpha, T-cell infiltration in the portal spaces was reduced, mainly due to a significant decrease in the number of CD8(+) T cells. These findings show that IFN-alpha is biologically active on APCs in vivo and in vitro and suggest that this newly described regulatory function, together with the already known inhibitory effects on lymphocytes, may cooperate to reduce inflammation and consequent tissue damage in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Carotenuto
- Institute of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Room L363, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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