Study of T Cell Phenotype Activation Pathway in Human Alcoholic Liver Disease
Study of T Cell Phenotype Activation Pathway in Human Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alcoholic liver disease is characterized by circulating T cell activation and liver T cell
 infiltration but their phenotype is poorly studied. The aim of the study is to test the
 hypothesis that the (CD4+ T cell secreting Interleukin-17) Th17 pathway is involved in
 alcoholic liver disease.
Consecutive patients undergoing transjugular liver biopsies for alcoholic liver disease or
 hepatitis C virus infection will be included in the study to measure plasma cytokines levels,
 peripheral blood mononuclear cells cytokine release and liver T cell infiltrates.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Alcohol excess intake and suspected liver disease

 -  Alcohol excess intake and clinical liver cirrhosis

 -  chronic hepatitis C virus infection and suspected liver disease

 -  chronic hepatitis C virus infection and clinical liver cirrhosis

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  bacterial or fungal infection

 -  immunosuppressive treatment

 -  other causes of liver disease