Interferon-alpha receptor 1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with response to interferon-alpha therapy of patients with chronic hepatitis C

Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research

K.b. Massirer²  M.h. Hirata²  A.e.b. Silva¹  M.l.g. Ferraz¹  N.y. Nguyen¹  R.d.c. Hirata² 

[1] ,Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Departamento de Análises Clínicas e ToxicológicasSão Paulo SP ,Brasil

关键词: IFNAR1-mRNA expression;    Interferon-alpha therapy;    Chronic hepatitis C;    Interferon-alpha receptor;    Peripheral blood mononuclear cells;    Reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0100-879X2004000500003

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Interferon (IFN)-alpha receptor mRNA expression in liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C has been shown to be a response to IFN-alpha therapy. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the expression of mRNA for subunit 1 of the IFN-alpha receptor (IFNAR1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is associated with the response to IFN-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Thirty patients with positive anti-HCV and HCV-RNA, and abnormal levels of alanine aminotransferase in serum were selected and treated with IFN-alpha2b for one year. Those with HBV or HIV infection, or using alcohol were not included. Thirteen discontinued the treatment and were not evaluated. The IFN-alpha response was monitored on the basis of alanine aminotransferase level and positivity for HCV-RNA in serum. IFNAR1-mRNA expression in PBMC was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction before and during the first three months of therapy. The results are reported as IFNAR1-mRNA/ß-actin-mRNA ratio (mean ± SD). Before treatment, responder patients had significantly higher IFNAR1-mRNA expression in PBMC (0.67 ± 0.15; N = 5; P < 0.05) compared to non-responders (0.35 ± 0.17; N = 12) and controls (0.30 ± 0.16; N = 9). Moreover, IFNAR1-mRNA levels were significantly reduced after 3 months of treatment in responders, whereas there were no differences in IFNAR1 expression in non-responders during IFN-alpha therapy. Basal IFNAR1-mRNA expression was not correlated with the serum level of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases or the presence of cirrhosis. The present results suggest that IFNAR1-mRNA expression in PBMC is associated with IFN-alpha response to hepatitis C and may be useful for monitoring therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

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