The CC5 and CXC3 chemokines (CK) pathways are involved in the pathogenesis and outcome of several disease states, including chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The kinetics of Regulated upon Activation Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) (CCL5) and IP-10 (CXCL10) during direct-acting antivirals (DAA) treatment was retrospectively analyzed in 18 liver transplant recipients (LT-R) compared with 20 patients with CHC and 49 healthy controls (HC). CK levels were determined at baseline, week 4, end of treatment, 24 weeks post-treatment (sustained virological response [SVR]), and later-on during follow-up (FU), 12 and 24 months post-DAA. At baseline, median RANTES levels were higher in HC than in both LT-R (p > 0.01) and CHC (p > 0.01), whereas IP-10 levels were higher in LT-R and CHC than in HC (p > 0.05 and p = 0.01), respectively. Mean RANTES values increased during DAA therapy to peak at SVR and FU with significantly higher levels than at baseline in LT-R (p < 0.01) and in CHC, but only at FU (p < 0.003). A subsequent return to baseline or lower levels was observed at extended FU. On the contrary, IP-10 values showed a significant decrease from baseline to SVR and FU in both LT-R (p < 0.03) and CHC (p < 0.01). RANTES profiles during the first 4 weeks of DAA treatment showed an increase or decrease from baseline according to baseline RANTES levels. CCR5 genotyping in LT-R showed the presence of 1 homozygous Δ32/Δ32 and 2 heterozygous WT/Δ32 haplotypes with a prevalence of 5.5% and 11.1%, respectively. In conclusion, although IP-10 showed the expected kinetics, the CC5 pathway appears extensively altered during CHC infection: monitoring these patients may be indicated as they may be at risk of other infections or immune-mediated disorders.
Keywords: chemokines; chronic HCV infection; host–virus interactions.