Abstract
The existence of cellular immune deficit in alcoholic cirrhosis, together with the role of α-and γ-interferon and interleukin-2 in the immune system, led us to compare serum levels of these immune system mediators in a group of 40 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis classified according to Child-Pugh's grade of severity of liver disease and 23 healthy volunteers. Serum levels of α-IFN, γ-IFN, and IL-2 were significantly depressed in alcoholic cirrhotics, with no significant differences between the different degrees of hepatic damage. The results suggest a profound alteration in the immune system of alcoholic cirrhotics, which may contribute to the development of the disease and the accompanying immune system deficit.
Similar content being viewed by others
![](https://media.springernature.com/w215h120/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs40064-016-2512-y/MediaObjects/40064_2016_2512_Fig1_HTML.gif)
References
Gluud C, Tage-Jensen U: Autoantibodies and immunoglobulins in alcoholic steatosis and cirrhosis. Acta Med Scand 214:61–66, 1983
Diez Ruiz A, Gil Extremera B, Gutierrez Gea F, Muñoz Ruiz C: Serum immunoglobulins and T cell subpopulations in alcoholic cirrhosis after oral zinc therapy. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 12:584, 1988
Ellison RT III, Horsburgh R Jr, Curd J: Complement levels in patients with hepatic dysfunction. Dig Dis Sci 35:231–235, 1990
Zetterman RK, Sorrel MF: Immunologic aspects of alcoholic liver disease. Gastroenterology 81:616–624, 1981
Nakajima T, Mizushiman N, Nakamura J, Kanai K: Surface marker of NK cells in peripheral blood of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunol Lett 13:7–10, 1986
Preble OT, Friedman RM: Biology of disease. Interferon induced alterations in cells: Relevance to viral and non viral diseases. Lab Invest 49:4–18, 1983
Gerrard TL, Siegel JP, Dyer DR, Zoon K: Differential effects of interferon and interferon-γ on interleukin 1 secretion by monocytes. J Immunol 138:2535–2540, 1987
Rabin EM, Mond JJ, Ohara J, Paul WE: Interferon gamma inhibits the action of B cell stimulatory factor on resting B cells. J Immunol 137:1573–1576, 1986
Le Thi Bich Thuy, Queen C, Fauci AS: Interferon gamma induces light chain synthesis in interleukin 2 stimulated human B cells. Eur J Immunol 16:547–550, 1986
Romagnani S, Gindizi MG, Biagotti R, Almerigogna F, Mingari C, Maggi E, Liang CM, Moretta L: B cell growth factor activity of interferon gamma. Recombinant human interferon gamma promotes proliferation of anti-μ activated human lymphocytes. J Immunol 136:3513–3516, 1986
Maraskowsky E, Chen WF, Shortman K: Il-2 and IFN-γ are two necessary lymphokines in the development of cytolytic T cells. J Immunol 143:1210–1214, 1989
Deviere J, Content J, Denys C, Vandenbussche P, Schandene L, Wybran J, Dupont E: High interleukin-6 serum levels and increased production by leucocytes in alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Correlation with IgA serum levels and lymphokine production. Clin Exp Immunol 77:221–225, 1989
Pirovinio M, Aguat M, Huber M, Altorfer J, Schmid M: Absence of detectable serum interferon in acute and chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatology 6:645–647, 1986
Pugh RNH, Murray-Lyon IM, Dawson JL, Pietroni MC, Williams R: Transection of the oesophagus for bleeding oseophageal varices. Br J Surg 60:646–648, 1973
Davis GL, Hoofnagle JH: Interferon in viral hepatitis: Role in pathogenesis and treatment. Hepatology 6:1038–1041, 1986
Livingston DH, Appel SH, Wellhausen SR, Sonnenfeld G, Polk HC: Depressed interferon gamma production and monocyte HLA-DR expression after severe injury. Arch Surg 123:1309–1312, 1987
Muller C, Zielinsky CC: Spontaneous and interferon induced activity of natural killer cells in patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic active hepatitis. Acta Med Austriaca 14:115–118, 1987
Sharpe RJ: Endogenous gamma interferon production may protect against hepatic cirrhosis and administration of exogenous gamma interferon may protect individuals prone to cirrhosis. Med Hypotheses 22:415–419, 1987
Bergroth V, Konttinen T, Segerberg K, Ollikainen V, Salaspuro M: Phenotypicin situ characterization of lymphocytes in mild alcoholic liver disease. Acta Path Microbiol Immunol Scand Sect A 94:337–341, 1986
Curran RD, Billiar TR, West MA, Bentz BG, Simmons RL: Effect of interleukin 2 on Kupffer cell activation. Arch Surg 123:1373–1378, 1988
Muller C, Knoflach P, Zielinski CC: Soluble interleukin 2 receptor in acute viral hepatitis and chronic liver disease. Hepatology 10:928–932, 1989
Kakumu S, Fuji A, Yoshioka T, Tahara H, Ohtani Y, Hirofuji H, Murase K, Aoi T: Pilot study of recombinant human interleukin 2 for chronic type B hepatitis. Hepatology 8:487–492, 1988
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vicente-Gutiérrez, M.M., Diez Ruiz, A., Gil Extremera, B. et al. Low serum levels of α-interferon, γ-interferon, and interleukin-2 in alcoholic cirrhosis. Digest Dis Sci 36, 1209–1212 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01307510
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01307510