IL-4, IL-17 and CD163 Immunoexpression and IL-6 Gene Polymorphism in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients and Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Assessment of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) therapeutic and prophylactic role in rats experimentally infected with Blastocystis subtype 3 (ST3)

Blastocystis, an eukaryote, inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and animals worldwide. Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), a probiotic, has been reported to be effective against blastocystosis. The present study evaluated the therapeutic and prophylactic effectiveness of L. acidophilus compared to metronidazole (MTZ) in rats experimentally infected with Blastocystis subtype 3 (ST3). Four groups of Blastocystis ST3-infected rats received MTZ, L. acidophilus, both MTZ and L. acidophilus, or prophylactic L. acidophilus. Non-infected and infected control groups were included. The effectiveness of treatment and prevention was evaluated using parasitological monitoring, histopathological examination, immunohistochemical staining for TNF-α and IgA expression, and immunological testing for TNF-α and IL-10. In the L. acidophilus-treated group, a 76% reduction in the mean fecal parasitic count and a 67% clearance in the intestinal wash were achieved aligning closely with outcomes observed in the MTZ-treated group. An immunomodulatory impact via upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was demonstrated as well. Combined administration of MTZ and L. acidophilus exhibited superior efficacy with a 99% decrease in the mean fecal parasitic count and a 98% decrease in the intestinal fluid parasitic count. Additionally, the lowest TNF-α and the highest IL-10 serum levels. Prophylactic use of L. acidophilus for 7 days neither prevented infection nor reduced its severity. Furthermore, no significant differences were detected in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 following post-prophylaxis and post-treatment with L. acidophilus. Accordingly, L. acidophilus might be recommended as an adjuvant treatment alongside MTZ for improved efficacy against blastocystosis.

Diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-17 in primary hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Despite significant advancements in the medical treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) in recent years, enhancing therapeutic effects and improving prognosis remain substantial challenges worldwide.

AIM

To investigate the expression levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL)-17 in patients with PHC and evaluate their diagnostic value while exploring their relationship with patients' clinical characteristics.

METHODS

The study included 50 patients with confirmed PHC who visited Wuhan Hanyang Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022, and 50 healthy individuals from the same period served as the control group. Serum VEGF and IL-17 levels in both groups were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and their diagnostic value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between serum VEGF and IL-17 levels. Pathological data of the PHC patients were analyzed to determine the relationship between serum VEGF and IL-17 levels and pathological characteristics.

RESULTS

Serum VEGF and IL-17 levels were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant association was observed between serum VEGF and IL-17 levels and gender, age, combined cirrhosis, tumor diameter, or degree of differentiation (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant relationship between clinical TNM stage, tumor metastasis, and serum VEGF and IL-17 levels (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between serum VEGF and IL-17 (P < 0.05). ROC analysis demonstrated that both serum VEGF and IL-17 had good diagnostic efficacy for PHC.

CONCLUSION

Serum VEGF and IL-17 levels were significantly higher in PHC patients compared to healthy individuals. Their levels were closely related to pathological features such as tumor metastasis and clinical TNM stage, and there was a significant positive correlation between VEGF and IL-17. These biomarkers may serve as valuable reference indicators for the early diagnosis and treatment guidance of PHC.

IL-23/IL-17 Axis in Chronic Hepatitis C and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis-New Insight into Immunohepatotoxicity of Different Chronic Liver Diseases

Considering the relevance of the research of pathogenesis of different liver diseases, we investigated the possible activity of the IL-23/IL-17 axis on the immunohepatotoxicity of two etiologically different chronic liver diseases. A total of 36 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, 16 with (CHC-SF) and 20 without significant fibrosis (CHC-NSF), 19 patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and 20 healthy controls (CG) were recruited. Anthropometric, biochemical, and immunological cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23) tests were performed in accordance with standard procedure. Our analysis revealed that a higher concentration of plasma IL-23 was associated with NASH (p = 0.005), and a higher concentration of plasma IL-17A but a lower concentration of plasma IL-10 was associated with CHC in comparison with CG. A lower concentration of plasma IL-10 was specific for CHC-NSF, while a higher concentration of plasma IL-17A was specific for CHC-SF in comparison with CG. CHC-NSF and CHC-SF groups were distinguished from NASH according to a lower concentration of plasma IL-17A. Liver tissue levels of IL-17A and IL-23 in CHC-NSF were significantly lower in comparison with NASH, regardless of the same stage of the liver fibrosis, whereas only IL-17A tissue levels showed a difference between the CHC-NSF and CHC-SF groups, namely, a lower concentration in CHC-NSF in comparison with CHC-SF. In CHC-SF and NASH liver tissue, IL17-A and IL-23 were significantly higher in comparison with plasma. Diagnostic accuracy analysis showed significance only in the concentration of plasma cytokines. Plasma IL-6, IL-17A and IL-23 could be possible markers that could differentiate CHC patients from controls. Plasma IL-23 could be considered a possible biomarker of CHC-NSF patients in comparison with controls, while plasma IL-6 and IL-17-A could be biomarkers of CHC-SF patients in comparison with controls. The most sophisticated difference was between the CHC-SF and CHC-NSF groups in the plasma levels of IL-10, which could make this cytokine a useful biomarker of liver fibrosis.

A review on interleukins (IL10 and IL17) as biomarkers for hepatitis C-associated oral lichen planus

Background

Hepatitis C virus is a viral infection associated with autoimmune disorders. This virus has hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations. One of the extrahepatic manifestations associated with the hepatitis C virus includes oral lichen planus. Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune disorder mainly affecting the tongue and buccal mucosa. It clinically represents grayish-white striae bilaterally on the buccal mucosa. The pathogenesis involves the progression of the hepatitis C virus, and oral lichen planus affects T lymphocytes. Specific proteins and cytokines activate these T lymphocytes, which act as biomarkers to detect certain diseases. Interleukin 10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, whereas interleukin 17 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine. These cytokines have a pathophysiological role and act as biomarkers for many diseases. Therefore, this review article aims to establish the role of interleukin 10 and interleukin 17 as biomarkers for hepatitis C-associated oral lichen planus.

Conclusion

Hepatitis C virus is an infectious disease that can lead to liver cirrhosis, and oral lichen planus is a premalignant lesion that can lead to oral carcinoma. As interleukin 10 lessens the immune pathologies and interleukin 17 mediates proinflammatory response, therefore, these biomarkers have a role in progression of these diseases.

Association of CTLA-4 and IL-4 polymorphisms in viral induced liver cancer

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer and is responsible for close to one million annual deaths globally. In Pakistan, HCC accounts for 10.7% of cancer incidence. Prior studies indicated an association between interleukin 4 (IL-4) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphisms in many types of cancers, including HCC that are either hepatitis B virus (HBV)- or hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-induced. The association of IL-4 and CTLA-4 genetic polymorphisms with HCV-induced HCC is not yet determined in the Pakistani population. Therefore, this research is designed to investigate the implication of IL-4 and CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms by determining the association of IL-4 -590 C/T (rs2243250) and CTLA-4 + 49 A/G (rs231775) with HCC in Pakistan.

Methods

Different bioinformatics tools were employed to determine the pathogenicity of these polymorphisms. Samples were collected from HCV-induced HCC patients, followed by DNA extraction and ARMS-PCR analysis.

Results

The SNP analysis results indicated a positive association of IL-4 -590C/T and CTLA-4 + 49A/G gene polymorphisms with HCV-induced HCC in Pakistan. The CTLA-4 polymorphism might enhance therapeutic efficiency of HCC chemotherapy medicines. The IL-4 polymorphism might introduce new transcription factor binding site in IL-4 promoter region.

Conclusion

This study delineated risk factor alleles in CTLA-4 and IL-4 genes associated with HCV-mediated HCC among Pakistani patients that may have application to serve as genetic markers for pre- and early diagnosis and prognosis of HCC in HCV patients.