Circulating IL-1β, IL-17, and IP-10 as Potential Predictors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Prognosis

Abstract

Circulating cytokines and chemokines play critical roles in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Here, we explored the effects of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effector molecules on HBV progression, e antigen seroconversion, and liver function. Our results showed that circulating interleukin (IL)-17 may be helpful in HBV spontaneous clearance [odds ratio $\left(\text{OR}\right)=1.468$ , $95\%\text{confidence}\text{interval}\left(\text{CI}\right)=1.080–1.995$ , $P=0.014$ ] and protective against HBV-related hepatoma development ( $\text{OR}=0.933$ , $95\%\text{CI}=0.910–0.957$ , $P<0.001$ ). IL-1β negatively affected HBV clearance ( $\text{OR}=0.052$ , $95\%\text{CI}=0.005–0.534$ , $P=0.013$ ). In patients with chronic hepatitis B, interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) levels significantly increased in the group of abnormal liver function ( $P=0.006$ ). Furthermore, positive correlations of IP-10 with alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were observed ( $r_s=0.546\text{and}0.644$ , respectively; $P<0.001$ ). In conclusion, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines may be a “double-edged sword” for HBV clearance and progression. Further exploration of the roles of IL-17, IL-1β, and IP-10 in chronic HBV infection is needed.