CXCL10 and CCL2 serum levels in patients with mixed cryoglobulinaemia and hepatitis C

BackgroundNo study evaluates serum levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 chemokines in patients with hepatitis C associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia.AimsTo measure circulating CXCL10 and CCL2 in cryoglobulinaemic patients.Patients and methodsSerum CXCL10 and CCL2 were assayed in 70 consecutive cryoglobulinaemic patients, and in 2 control groups (1:1, gender- and age-matched) of healthy (controls), or of chronic hepatitis C subjects without cryoglobulinaemia.ResultsCryoglobulinaemic patients showed higher CXCL10 serum levels than controls (p < 0.0001), or hepatitis C patients (p = 0.001) (389 ± 141, 91 ± 51, 311 ± 142 pg/ml, respectively). By defining a “high CXCL10” as a value at least 2 S.D. above the mean value of the control group (>193 pg/ml), 79% of cryoglobulinaemic patients, 5% of the controls and 69% of hepatitis C patients had high CXCL10 (p < 0.0001). CXCL10 levels were (p < 0.01) increased in cryoglobulinaemic patients with active vasculitis, with respect to those without (445 ± 108, 339 ± 161 pg/ml, respectively).Cryoglobulinaemic patients showed significantly higher CCL2 serum level than controls (p < 0.01), but not than hepatitis C patients (541 ± 493, 387 ± 173 and 451 ± 281 pg/ml, respectively).ConclusionOur study first demonstrates high serum levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 chemokines in cryoglobulinaemic patients. Circulating CXCL10 is higher overall in cryoglobulinaemic patients with active vasculitis, suggesting a prevalence of the Th1 immune response in this phase.