Abstract
Background:
Cytokines are crucial factors in the non-cytolytic antiviral process to inhibit HBV gene expression and replication. Interleukin (IL)-21 has been suggested to play an important role in HBV infection, but it remains unknown whether IL-21 can inhibit HBV replication or how it inhibits HBV replication.
Methods:
In this study, we investigated the influence of IL-21 on HBV replication based on human hepatoma Huh7.93 cells co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the possible correlation among IL-21, interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-10.
Results:
We demonstrated that the decrease of IL-21 expression and the increase of IL-10 expression in PBMCs could promote HBV replication in vitro. We further revealed that IL-21 is not only able to effectively suppress HBV replication directly but also reduce HBV replication by inhibition of IL-10 secretion.
Conclusions:
Our results provide important evidence for the non-cytolytic antiviral mechanism mediated by cytokines and their interactions in chronic hepatitis B.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Coculture Techniques
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DNA, Viral / antagonists & inhibitors*
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DNA, Viral / genetics
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Hepatitis B virus / drug effects*
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Hepatitis B virus / genetics
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Hepatitis B virus / growth & development
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Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology
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Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
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Hepatocytes / drug effects*
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Hepatocytes / immunology
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Hepatocytes / virology
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Host-Pathogen Interactions
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Humans
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Interferon-gamma / genetics
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Interferon-gamma / immunology
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Interleukin-10 / genetics
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Interleukin-10 / immunology
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Interleukins / genetics
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Interleukins / immunology
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Interleukins / pharmacology*
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects*
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology
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Primary Cell Culture
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Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
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Signal Transduction
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
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Virus Replication / drug effects*
Substances
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DNA, Viral
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IL10 protein, human
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Interleukins
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Recombinant Proteins
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Interleukin-10
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Interferon-gamma
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interleukin-21