THF gamma 2 stimulates cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Abstract

A recent study indicated that thymic hormones have antiviral effects in human hepatitis B virus infection and woodchuck hepatitis virus infection. These hormones are known to exert immunomodulatory effects on lymphocyte maturation and function; because these are abnormal in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, we have examined the effects of a thymic hormone (THF gamma 2) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. THF gamma 2 (50 or 150 ng/ml) alone was without effect; in the presence of low doses of the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, it had a broad effect in patients and controls. The effect on interleukin-2 production was greater in patients than controls with a significant increase in production at 150 ng/ml for patients alone (p = 0.037). Tumour necrosis factor alpha production was enhanced in all patients and controls, with a greater effect seen at 150 ng/ml THF gamma 2 than 50 ng/ml. There was no effect on interferon gamma production or on the expression of membrane markers of T-cell activation. THF gamma 2 has substantial immunomodulatory activity in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers and in vivo assessment of THF gamma 2 in chronic hepatitis B virus is indicated.

• Authors: H M Daniels, A O'Toole, M J Hussein, S Corridori, G J Alexander, R Williams
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pg. 370-5 (Mar 1994) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 7516950 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• Antigens, CD1
• Cytokines
• HLA-DR Antigens
• Interleukin-2
• Interleukin-6
• Oligopeptides
• Phytohemagglutinins
• Thymus Hormones
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• thymic humoral factor gamma 2
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Antigens, CD (analysis, metabolism)
• Antigens, CD1
• Cells, Cultured
• Chronic Disease
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• HLA-DR Antigens (analysis, metabolism)
• Hepatitis B (blood, metabolism)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (metabolism)
• Interleukin-2 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-6 (metabolism)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (cytology, metabolism)
• Oligopeptides (pharmacology)
• Phytohemagglutinins (pharmacology)
• Thymus Hormones (pharmacology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)