In vitro secretion of anti-GOR protein and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Abstract
Anti-GOR antibodies may reflect hepatitis C virus (HCV)--related autoimmunity or cross-reactivity with HCV core antigen. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of anti-GOR antibodies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 35 patients with HCV and 48 controls and cultured for 8 days. The in vitro antibody secretion by PBMC was determined using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and recombinant immunoblot assay. In 22 of 35 patients with HCV (62.9%), PBMCs secreted anti-c22-3 or anti-c33c antibodies. However, in 3 of 48 controls (6.2%), PBMCs secreted anti-c33c antibodies alone. A significant in vitro anti-GOR response was found in 13 of 35 patients (37.1%) with HCV in relation to 4 of 48 controls (8.3%). In 12 of these patients (92.3%), anti-GOR were found in vitro and in serum. Two patients with HCV produced in vitro anti-GOR but not anti-c22-3 antibodies. Regarding disease activity, in vitro anti-GOR-positive patients with HCV had significantly higher alanine aminotransferase levels (108.8 +/- 17.8 U/L vs. 64.5 +/- 7.6 U/L; P < 0.01) and more frequent signs of chronic active hepatitis (10 of 13 [76.9%] vs. 10 of 22 [45.5%]) than patients with HCV without in vitro anti-GOR respon...Continue Reading
References
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HCV genotypes in Northern Italy: a survey of 1368 histologically proven chronic hepatitis C patients
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