Expression of interleukin-17 associated with disease progression and liver fibrosis with hepatitis B virus infection: IL-17 in HBV infection.

Background/objectives: As a proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-17 (IL-17) contributes to the inflammation of many autoimmune diseases. We examined IL-17 levels in serum and tissues from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV), and especially evaluated the role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis and progression of liver fibrosis.

Materials And Methods: Whole venous blood was obtained from four patient groups: chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n = 47), liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 49), primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC, n = 44), chronic liver failure (CLF, n = 33), and a normal control group (n = 20).

[Expression of interleukin-17 in hepatitis B related liver fibrosis].

Aim: To explore the role of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the pathogenesis and progress of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) related liver diseases, especially in hepatitis B related liver fibrosis.

Methods: Whole vein blood was obtained from the patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (n=36), liver cirrhosis (LC) (n=42) including child-pugh A (n=15), child-pugh B (n=12), child-pugh C (n=15), primary hepatitis carcinoma (PHC) (n=34), chronic severe hepatitis (n=30) and normal control (n=20).The level of serum IL-17 and the expression of IL-17 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) were analysed by ELISA and RT-PCR respectively.