In vitro α-interferon treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells improves interleukin-2 activity in HBV-related chronic liver disease

Summary To investigate mitogen-induced helper T cell activity in patients with HBV-related chronic liver disease (CLD), Interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity was assessed by an IL-2 bioassay using phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated mononuclear cells (MNC). IL-2 activity was significantly reduced in patients with CLD ( P α -interferon ( α -IFN) showed the highest IL-2 activity. In vitro preincubation of MNC with α -IFN before stimulation with PHA, led to a significant increase in IL-2 activity in all subjects ( P α -IFN may be, in part, responsible for the therapeutic effect of this agent in HBV-related CLD.