IL-12 promotes the cellular immunity of PBMC from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in vitro / 中国免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To determine the effect of IL-12 on the cellular immune response of PBMC from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, and provide basic scientific information for clinic therapy of this disease.Methods:PBMCS were prepared from peripheral blood of individuals with chronic HBV infection and cultured in the presence or absence of HBsAg and HBcAg with or without IL-12.The level of IFN-?in culture supernatants, the frequency of IFN-?-producing cells, and the subpopulation of IFN-?-producing cells were detected by either ELISA,ELISPOT or FACS.Results:Less than 30% patients and very low level of IFN-? were observed when PBMCs were stimulated with HBsAg or HBcAg alone. Addition of IL-12 to the cultures resulted in significant increase in IFN-?production and IFN-?-producing cells. In addition, IL-12 induced expression of IFN-? not only by CD8~+T cells, but also by non-T cell populations.Conclusion:IL-12 can promote the cellular immune response to the chronic hepatitis B virus by the enhancement of IFN-?production.