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

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2004 May;37(5):643-7. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2004000500003. Epub 2004 Apr 22.

Abstract

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-alpha 2b 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/beta-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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / blood
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / blood*
  • Interferon-alpha / metabolism
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / chemistry*
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / blood
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Interferon / blood*
  • Receptors, Interferon / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Viral
  • Receptors, Interferon
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase