Long-Lasting Imprint in the Soluble Inflammatory Milieu Despite Early Treatment of Acute Symptomatic Hepatitis C
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2021
Khera T., Du Y., Todt D., Deterding K., Strunz B., Hardtke S., Aregay A., Port K., Hardtke-Wolenski M., Steinmann E., Björkström N., Manns M., Hengst J., Cornberg M., Wedemeyer H.
| Disease area | Application area | Sample type | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
Infectious Diseases | Pathophysiology | Plasma |  Olink Target 96 |
Abstract
Background
Treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection leads to partial restoration of soluble inflammatory mediators (SIMs). In contrast, we hypothesized that early DAA treatment of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) with DAAs may normalize most SIMs.
Methods
In this study, we made use of a unique cohort of acute symptomatic hepatitis C patients who cleared HCV with a 6-week course of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Plasma samples were used for proximity extension assay measuring 92 proteins.
Results
Profound SIM alterations were observed in acute HCV patients, with marked upregulation of interleukin (IL)-6 and CXCL-10, whereas certain mediators were downregulated (eg, monocyte chemoattractant protein-4, IL-7). During treatment and follow-up, the majority of SIMs decreased but not all normalized (eg, CDCP1, IL-18). Of note, SIMs that were downregulated before DAA treatment remained suppressed, whereas others that were initially unchanged declined to lower values during treatment and follow-up (eg, CD244).
Conclusions
Acute hepatitis C was associated with marked changes in the soluble inflammatory milieu compared with both chronic hepatitis patients and healthy controls. Whereas early DAA treatment partly normalized this altered signature, long-lasting imprints of HCV remained.