| Theme |
Gastrointestinal Diseases and Cytokines : Pathophysiological Control |
| Title |
Autoimmune Hepatitis, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Cytokines |
| Author |
Norio Horiike |
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Shinya Hurukawa |
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Morikazu Onji |
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
IL-4, a Th 2 cytokine, increased in the sera and the liver of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). On the other hand, representative Th 1 cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-12, also increased in AIH. IL-12 increased in experimental animal models of AIH. In general, Th 1 cytokines agravate the activity of autoimmune diseases and Th 2 cytokines suppress it. Hence, the role of cytokines in AIH is elusive, the imbalance of Th 1 and Th 2 cytokines may play important roles in the pathogenesis of AlH. In primary sclerosing cholangitis, IL-8 and IL-10 increased in the sera, though IFN-γ, IFN-αand TGF-β were similar to those of control groups. |