Increased levels of soluble adhesion molecules in the serum of patients with hepatitis C. Correlation with cytokine concentrations and liver inflammation and fibrosis.

Lymphocyte adhesion to endothelium, extravasation, and adhesion to hepatocytes are mediated by adhesion molecules and constitute important steps in the liver inflammation due to chronic hepatitis C (HCV-CH). We measured soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1, sCD54), vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1, sCD106), E-selectin (sCD62E), as well as interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations in the serum of 22 patients with HCV-CH in comparison to 20 seronegative healthy volunteers. sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sCD62E, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 but not IL-1 beta concentrations were significantly elevated in patients. sICAM-1 and sCD62E correlated with TNF-alpha and aspartate amino transferases levels. sICAM-1 correlated with liver lobular inflammation whereas sVCAM-1, sCD62E, and IL-8 correlated with liver fibrosis. Measurement of soluble adhesion molecules may be an easy way to follow liver inflammation and fibrosis during HCV-CH.