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

Autor(es)

K.B. Massirer ^[1] ; M.H. Hirata ^[2] ; A.E.B. Silva ^[3] ; M.L.G. Ferraz ^[4] ; N.Y. Nguyen ^[5] ; R.D.C. Hirata ^[6]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Gastroenterologia - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Gastroenterologia - Brasil

^[5] FDA. Center for Biological Evaluation and Research - Estados Unidos

^[6] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas - Brasil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 37, n. 5, p. 643-647, 2004-05-00.

Resumo

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-alpha2b 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/ß-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. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 96/01731-1 - Expressão do receptor do interferon alfa (IFNAR) em pacientes portadores da hepatite C, submetidos ao tratamento com interferon alfa 2 b
• Beneficiário: Rosario Dominguez Crespo Hirata
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 97/06726-9 - Avaliação da resposta terapêutica do interferon alfa 2b em indivíduos com hepatite C, através da expressão do receptor do interferon alfa (IFNAR), utilizando a técnica de RT-PCR
• Beneficiário: Katlin Brauer Massirer
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado