Plasma levels of growth-related oncogene (CXCL1-3) associated with fibrosis and platelet counts in HCV-infected patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients varies greatly between individuals. Chemokines recruit immune cells to the infected liver and may thus play a role in the fibrosis process.

Aim

To investigate plasma levels of a diverse chemokine panel in relation to liver fibrosis.

Methods

African-American and Caucasian HCV genotype 1 infected patients were treated with peginterferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) for 48 weeks (VIRAHEP-C cohort). Plasma levels of 13 cytokines were studied at baseline (n = 386). Subsequently, GROα levels were assessed in a sub cohort (n = 99) at baseline, and at 4 and 12 weeks after start of pegIFN/RBV treatment.

Results

Increased severity of fibrosis (Ishak fibrosis score 0-2 vs. 3-6) was associated wit

SUBMITTER: Johansson S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4592471 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature