Plasma CCL16 Chemokine Secretion and Expression in Liver Tissue of Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Pilot Study

"Introduction and aims. CCL16 is a recently discovered chemokine, mainly synthesized in the liver. Its expression in autoimmune hepatitis is still unknown. The main objective of this investigation is to determine the levels of CCL16 in plasma and liver tissue of patients diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. Materials and methods. Patients with clinical and serologic findings consistent with probable autoimmune hepatitis, who underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy, were included. Tissue expression of CCL16 messenger RNA was assessed with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasma CCL16 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Controls had normal liver function tests and a Fibroscan-502® with no signs of fibrosis or steatosis. Results. Liver biopsy was performed in 14 patients: in 10 cases was confirmed the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis and in 4 cases the biopsy was compatible with steatosis/steatohepatitis. Twenty-two patients were included in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of plasma CCL16 levels (p = NS). Its concentration was not associated with the presence of liver fibrosis in the biopsy (p = 0.28) or with the response after 6 months of treatment (p = 0.90). Conclusion. This is a study that has determined the expression of chemokine CCL16 in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. It was observed that the plasma secretion of CCL16 decreased in the autoimmune hepatitis group, compared to the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant."