Ribavirin induces immunomodulation in chronic hepatitis C therapy

To investigate the effects of ribavirin on hepatitis C virus [HCV] specific T-helper cell responses and the expression of interleukin-12 receptor-beta-1 and beta-2 chains on CD4+ T cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 56 patients with proven chronic hepatitis C were incubated with or without ribavirin [0.1 mug/ml]. The results suggested that ribavirin induces up-regulation and differentiation of CD4+ T cells through the up-regulation of interleukin-12 receptor beta-2 chain