MONOCYTE ADHESION MOLECULES EXPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C AND LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Abstract: Introduction: Chronic viral hepatitis is histologically characterized by predominantly periportal infiltration of mononuclear cells, including monocytes/macrophages. Intralobular infiltration of these inflammatory cells is an ominous sign of deterioration and a criterion for disease activity . We aimed to study the expression of monocytes adhesion molecules and their endothelial ligands in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and liver cirrhosis (LC). The influence of cytokines and chemokine on monocyte adhesion was also taken into account. Material and Methods: The current study included 30 cases of CHC, 30 cases of LC and 15 normal healthy controls. Flow cytometric quantification of CD11a, CD11b and CD49d monocyte surface antigen expression was performed. Circulating sE-selectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, TNF-α, IL-1 and MCP-1 were measured by ELISA kits. Results: The expression of CD11b, CD49d, and the serum level of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, TNF -α showed progressive increase from non-cirrhotic to cirrhotic patients. correlation was found between monocyte adhesion molecules CD11a, CD11b and CD49d and each of sICAM- 1 and sVCAM-1 Conclusions: These findings suggest that the modulation of monocyte-subset recruitment into the liver via adhesion molecules or cytokines/cytokine receptors may represent promising approaches for therapeutic interventions in human liver fibrosis. Measurement of serum soluble adhesion molecules may be useful for monitoring progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis during CHC.