Increased circulating and intrahepatic T-cell-specific chemokines in chronic hepatitis C: relationship with the type of virological response to peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy

Summary Aims : To determine the serum and intrahepatic levels of T-helper-1-associated chemokines in patients with chronic hepatitis C before, during and after peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy and to search for correlations with baseline characteristics of hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease and type of therapeutic response. Methods : Serum chemokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and intrahepatic chemokine messenger RNA and protein levels were tested by ribonuclease protection assay and immunohistochemistry. Results : Serum and intrahepatic chemokine levels were elevated in all patients with chronic hepatitis C and showed a marked d…