Role of hepatitis B virus in intrahepatic TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway

AIM:To explore the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) on intrahepatic expression of transforming growth factor β1（TGF-β1） and Smads. METHODS:The expression of intrahepatic TGF-β1, HBsAg and HBcAg in control group and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) group was detected by immunohistochemical method.The serum HBV DNA content was determined by real-time PCR. The role of HBV in the expression of TGF-β1, Smad3 and Smad7 in human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 in vitro was observed by cell culture and Western blotting. RESULTS:The average score of intrahepatic TGF-β1 expression in CHB group was higher than that in control group. With the increase in serum HBV DNA content, intrahepatic TGF-β1 expression was also enhanced. In the HBcAg positive hepatic tissue, there was higher TGF-β1 expression than that in the liver tissue of HBcAg negative. Compared with control group and HBV+anti-TGF-β1 group, HBV caused increased expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in HBV group in vitro. No difference of Smad7 protein among control group, HBV group and HBV+anti-TGF-β1 group was observed. CONCLUSION: The expression of intrahepatic TGF-β1 is related to serum HBV DNA and hepatocellular HBcAg in the patients with CHB. HBV-induced liver fibrosis mainly relies on positive regulatory mechanisms of Smad3,and the negative regulation by Smad7 almost does not function.     

Relationship between precore/basal core promoter mutations of hepatitis B virus and therapeutic effect of peginterferon α-2b,and changes of mutations before and after treatment

AIM:To investigate the relationship between therapeutic effect of peginterferon α-2b (Peg-IFNα-2b) and precore (PC) region G1896A and basal core promoter (BCP) region A1762T/G1764A mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the changes of the mutations before and after treatment. METHODS:The patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (n=69) were treated with Peg-IFNα-2b for 48 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks. The PC and BCP sequences at baseline and the 72th week were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Serum HBsAg, HBeAg, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBV DNA was quantified in the samples taken at baseline (week 0), during the treatment period (weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48), and during follow-up (weeks 60 and 72). RESULTS:Within the total cohort, wild-type (WT) virus was detectable in only 14 patients (20.29%), and mutants were detected in 55 patients (79.71%). The serum HBeAg level in the patients with mutant virus was significantly lower than that in the patients with WT virus (P=0.024). The proportion of WT, PC mutant, BCP mutant and PC+BCP mutant was significantly changed at baseline and week 72 (P=0.004). No significant difference of HBeAg seroconversion and combined response between patients with WT virus or mutants (PC, BCP and PC+BCP) was observed. CONCLUSION:PC and BCP mutations have no effect on the response of HBeAg-positive CHB patients to Peg-IFNα-2b. The proportion of each mutation was significantly changed before and after treatment.     

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs and HBV-specific CTLs in peripheral blood from chronic hepatitis B patients

AIM: To investigate the roles of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and HBV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in peripheral blood from the patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 28 patients with CHB and 15 healthy controls were analyzed for Treg frequency using flow cytometry and for HBV-specific CTLs using enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT).The clinical data of HBV-infected patients were considered.RESULTS: The frequency of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺Tregs was higher in the patients with CHB than that in the patients of healthy controls (3.14%±0.97% vs 1.95%±0.68%, P<0.05), and a positive correlation was found between Tregs and the DNA levels of HBV (r=0.831, P<0.01).HBV-specific CTLs were detected by ELISPOT in CHB patients and a negative correlation was observed between Tregs and CTLs (r=-0.540, P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Tregs in CHB patients are increased and closely correlated with the DNA replication of HBV and CTLs, suggesting that the clearance of HBV can be influenced by the inhibition of cellular immunoreaction through Tregs.     

Correlation between clinical stages of HBV chronic infection and co-expression of CD244 and PD-1 in HBV-specific CTLs

AIM: To investigate the co-expression of cluster of differentiation 244 (CD244) and programmed death 1 protein (PD-1) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and its correlation with the clinical stages of HBV chronic infection. METHODS: Eighty-one CHB subjects with human leukocyte antigen-A2 (HLA-A2) positive, including 20 cases of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), 20 cases of severe chronic hepatitis B (s-CHB), 34 cases of mild and moderate chronic hepatitis B (m-CHB) and 7 cases of immune tolerant stage (IT) of chronic hepatitis B as well as 14 healthy controls (HC), were enrolled in this study. The co-expression of CD244 and PD-1 was analyzed in virus-specific CD8⁺ T-cells derived from peripheral blood using major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) pentamers targeting immunodominant epitopes of HBV core antigen (18-27). RESULTS: In the patients with chronic HBV infection, virus-specific CD8+T-cells with co-expression of CD244 and PD-1 were at increased levels than those in total CD8+ T-cells (67.48%±17.16% vs 14.01%±7.97%, P<0.01) in the peripheral blood. Among different clinical stages, increased level of CD244 expression coincided with increased expression of PD-1 in m-CHB compared with IT of CHB (73.08%±8.63% vs 53.11%±18.05%, P<0.05), which was followed by decreased co-expression level in ACLF (63.11%±13.87% vs 72.05%±16.86%, P<0.05) and restoration of the ability to secrete IFN-γ (30.95%±20.29% vs 13.63%±10.46%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CD244 and PD-1 are highly co-expressed in HBV-specific CTLs in the patients with s-CHB and m-CHB, and are decreased in ACLF following the restoration of IFN-γ secretion. The severity of CHB may be correlated with CD244 and PD-1 co-expression in HBV-specific CTLs.     

Mechanism of hepatitis B virus infection in renal tissues with IgA nephropathy

AIM: To identify the pathogenesis of renal lesions induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: Forty-eight renal biopsy tissues of IgAN were selected, and were divided into five grades from Ⅰ to Ⅴ according to the classified standard of Meadow. HBsAg and HBcAg in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry methods of Envision. Eighteen renal tissues with IgAN among 48 renal biopsy tissues were selected randomly, and then HBV DNA in these tissues was detected by direct in site polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) method. RESULTS: Thirty-six (36/48, 75.00%) and twenty-one (21/39, 53.85%) cases were positive with HBcAg and HBsAg in 48 cases renal tissues with IgAN, respectively. The positive rate of HBV DNA in 18 cases with IgAN was 61.11% (11/18). The positive rate of HBcAg， HBsAg and HBV DNA in renal tissues were all no significance betwen every grade (P＞0.05), but the positive rate of HBcAg, HBsAg and HBV DNA in renal tubule were all higher than that in glomeruli (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HBV really takes part in the occurrence of IgAN. HBV maybe induces the renal injury by cell-mediated immunity or a series of cytokines but not by virus direct damage. The renal tubule epithelium may be the targeting cells of HBV infection.     

Dynamic changes of circulating T FH cells during antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients

AIM:To investigate the circulating follicular helper T cells (T FH) and the expression of intracellular interleukin-21 (IL-21) before and after antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS:The CHB patients with antiviral therapy (14 cases of telbivudine therapy and 21 cases of interferon therapy) were selected in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. The level of CD4+CXCR5+ T FH cells and the expression of intracellular IL-21 were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS:Intracellular IL-21 was produced mainly by T FH cells in peripheral blood T lymphocytes. The level of T FH cells had no statistically significant difference between the 2 different antiviral therapies in 24 weeks (P>0.05). The level of T FH cells and intracellular IL-21 in the patients with virological response (VR) was higher than those in the patients without virological response (NVR) before treatment. The levels of T FH cells was increased in NVR group during therapy. CONCLUSION:Antiviral therapy may contribute to elevate the level of circulating T FH cells in NVR patients. The high levels of circulating T FH cells and intracellular IL-21 before treatment can predict early virological response in CHB patients.     

HLA-DRB1 genotyping and its relation with chronic HBV infection in patients

AIM: To study the HLA-DRB1 genotype and their relation with HBV infection in Shaanxi Han patients. METHODS: HLA-DRB1 genotyping was conducted in 108 case of chronic HBV infection and 108 health controls as well as 32 asymtomatic HBsAg carriers by using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer method. All the patients, asymtomatic HBsAg carriers and health subjects were residents of Shaanxi district and belonged to Han nationality. The association between HLA-DRB1 genotype and different replication of HBV was also studied. RESULTS: DRB1*04, DRB1*09, DRB1*12 and DRB1*15 were the most common genotypes in Shaanxi Han residents with the frequency of 16.2%, 12.5%, 11.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Compared to 108 health controls, the allele frequency of HLA-DRB1*03 (10.6% of HBV patients versus 3.7% of health controls, odds ratio=3.10; P<0.05) and HLA-DRB1*07 (17.6% of HBV patients versus 9.3% of health controls, odd ratio=2.09; P<0.05) were markedly higher. The allele frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 (13.4% of HBV patients versus 6.9% of health controls, odds ratio=0.48; P<0.05) was obviously lower than than in HBV patients. CONCLUSION: HLA-DRB1*03 and HLA-DRB1*07 are closely related with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B infection, and DRB1*15 is closely related with resistance to chronic hepatitis B infection. These finding suggest that host HLA class II gene is an important factor determining the outcome of HBV infection.     

S-gene polymorphism of hepatitis B virus in Hakka area of Guangdong

AIM: To examine the surface (S) gene variability of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Hakka area of Guangdong province in China. METHODS: The S genes from 40 HBsAg and HBV DNA positive patients in Hakka area of Guangdong province were amplified and sequenced directly for its molecular characterization, then these sequences were compared with the consensus sequences. RESULTS: In all 40 patients, 36 patients belongs to subtype adw and 4 patients to subtype adr. In 36 patients of subtype adw, it was found that at the position 131 all amino acid residues were Thr not Asn, at the position 127, 133, 134 and 143 all were also substituted by other amino acids. In 4 patients of subtype adr, amino acid residues were found to be highly conservative. CONCLUSION: The different HBV subtypes have different patterns of geographic distribution. Subtype adw is the major type in Hakka area of Guangdong. S gene sequence of HBV has its variability, especially in subtype adw.     

Association between IL-6-572C/G as well as IFNAR1-168G/C and hepatitis B virus infection in populations of Dai and Han ethnicities in Yunnan Province

ATM: To explore the association between IL-6-572C/G (rs1800796) as well as interferon alpha receptor 1 (IFNAR1)-168G/C (rs2257167) and prognosis after hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in populations of Dai and Han ethnicities in Yunnan Province. METHODS: The blood samples were collected from Dai people and Han people, each nation including 100 healthy controls and 200 infected individuals (100 spontaneous recovery individuals and 100 chronic patients). Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used to identify the gene type. RESULTS: In Dai people, no significant difference was found between genetic polymorphism of -572C/G and prognosis after HBV infection. The differences of C and G alleles between spontaneous recovery group and chronic hepatitis B group, and healthy controls and HBV infection group were not statistically significant. Meanwhile, GG and CG genotypes were a vital protective factor for the person who developed into a chronic heptatitis B patient under the G allele dominance mode (GG+CG/CC) (P<0.05). In Han people, no statistically significance for IL-6-572C/G genotype and allele distribution in each group comparisons had been found, as well as the C allele recessive mode and C allele dominance mode. For the above 4 indicators, no statistically significant difference of IFNAR1-168C/G in Dai and Han people had been found.CONCLUSION: The GG+CG genotype of IL-6-572C/G may be a protective factor for the HBV-infected Dai people to develop into chronic hepatitis B patients. However, there is no significant association between the IFNAR1-168G/C polymorphism and prognosis after HBV infection in the 2 ethnicities.     

The levels of 2′, 5′ oligoadenylate synthetase,interleukin 2 and interleukin 12 in hepatitis B virus infection

AIM: In order to study the effect of endogenous interferon system and Th1 response modes on hepatitis B virus infection, the 2′, 5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5OAS), IL-2 and IL-12 were selected as the research parameters. METHODS: The activity of 2-5OAS in peripheral blood mononeuclear cells was determined by sensitive radioenzymatic assay. IL-2 and IL-12 were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared to normal control, the 2-5OAS, IL-2 or IL-12 were not significantly changed (P>0.05) in the asymptomatic HBsAg carricer group. The 2-5OAS, IL-2 and IL-12 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01) in the group of acute hepatitis, but in the groups of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the 2-5OAS, IL-2, IL-12 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). Moreover, with the progression of patient′s conditions and with the complications of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the 2-5OAS, IL-2 and IL-12 decreased progressively, the 2-5OAS, IL-2, IL-12 were the lowest in guoups of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (vs each groups of chronic hepatitis, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The endogenous interferon system and Th1 response are significantly alterable in the different period of hepatitis B virus infection and among the different clinical types. The cellular immunity plays an important role in recovery from HBV infection.     

Effects of ethanol on HBV gene mutations in patients with chronic hepatitis B by gene chip

AIM: To study ethanol influence on gene mutations of HBV DNA and to offer testimony for clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: 85 patients with chronic hepatitis B were divided into alcoholic group and non-alcoholic group. Gene chip technique was used to detect gene mutations located in Pre-C nt G1896A and nt A1814C, basal core promoter (BCP) nt A1762T and nt G1764A, P nt C528A and nt T552C. RESULTS: The mutation frequency on BCP nt A1762T and nt G1764A in alcoholic group was significantly higher than that in non-alcoholic group (P<0.05). No difference of mutation frequency on pre-c nt G1896A nt A1814C and P nt C528A nt T552C between alcoholic and non-alcoholic group was observed (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Ethanol stimulates HBV gene mutations on BCP nt A1762T and nt G1764A, enhances HBV DNA replication and gene expression, deteriorates the state of the illness.     

Effects of xeroderma pigmentosum group D and p53 on replication of HBV

AIM:To investigate the effects of xeroderma pigmentosum D (XPD) and p53 on the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS:Recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N2/XPD and vacant vector plasmid pEGFP-N2 were transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells by liposome. On the next day, these cells were incubated with pifithrin-α, a p53 inhibitor, at a concentration of 20 μmol/L for 24 h. The cells were divided into 5 groups: blank control group, pEGFP-N2 group, pEGFP-N2/XPD group, pEGFP-N2/XPD+pifithrin-α group and pifithrin-α group. The mRNA expression of XPD, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) was detected by RT-PCR. The content of HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatants of culture medium was measured by ELISA. The content of HBV-DNA in the supernatants of culture medium was examined by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Using the method of bDNA, the content of HBV-DNA in the core particles was assessed. RESULTS:The expression of XPD mRNA was elevated by the transfection of recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N2/XPD. The increase in XPD expression significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBx. The content of HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatants of culture medium was significantly decreased by the increase in XPD expression. The results of fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the content of HBV-DNA in the supernatants of culture medium was significantly down-regulated by the increase in XPD expression. bDNA results showed that the content of HBV-DNA in the core particles was significantly decreased by the increase in XPD expression.Pifithrin-α abolished the above-mentioned effects of XPD (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: XPD inhibits the replication of HBV through p53 pathway. Therefore, XPD and p53 may be the targets for antiviral therapy of hepatitis B.     

HTPP-MDC inhibits replication and subcellular localization of hepatitis B virus in HepG2.2.15 cells

AIM：To investigate the antiviral effect of hepatocyte-targeting and cell-penetrating peptide and Musca domestica cecropin (HTPP-MDC) fusion polypeptide against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro, and to observe the penetrating ability of HTPP-MDC in hepatocytes. METHODS： HepG2.2.15 cells and Chang liver cells were co-cultured in vitro with HTPP-MDC at different concentrations. MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of HTPP-MDC in vitro. The levels of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in HepG2.2.15 cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The penetrating ability of HTPP-MDC was detected by laser confocal microscopy. RESULTS：The levels of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in the supernatants of HepG2.2.15 cells treated with HTPP-MDC were remarkably reduced. The inhibitory effect of HTPP-MDC depended on the dose and action time of the drug. FITC-labeled HTPP-MDC was observed inside the cells under laser confocal microscope. CONCLUSION：HTPP-MDC strongly inhibits HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells. The penetrating ability of HTPP-MDC into hepatocytes indicates that HTPP-MDC is useful in clinic therapy for chronic hepatitis B-related diseases in the future.     

Role of renal preS1/S2-Ag and other HBV antigen determination in diagnosis of HBV-associated glomerulonephritis

AIM：To detect the expression of preS1/S2 antigen (preS1/S2-Ag) and other antigens of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in renal tissues of patients with HBV-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN), and to analyze their roles in the diagnosis of HBV-GN.
METHODS：Patients hospitalized in our department from January in 2003 to January in 2013 were retrospectively studied. A total of 49 patients with positive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) serology, clinical manifestations of hematuria and/or proteinuria, and pathological diagnosis of glomerulonephritis, without systemic lupus erythematosus, anaphylactic purpura, diabetes or hepatitis C, were selected. PreS1/S2-Ag, HBV e antigen (HBeAg), HBsAg and HBV core antigen (HBcAg) in the renal tissues were examined. Five cases of glomerular minimal-change disease (MCD) with negative HBsAg and 5 cases of non-glomerulonephritis with positive HBsAg served as controls. RESULTS：The positive rates of preS1/S2-Ag, HBeAg, HBsAg and HBcAg in the renal tissues from the 49 patients of glomerulonephritis with HBV infection were 32.7% (16 cases), 38.8% (19 cases), 14.3% (7 cases) and 46.9% (23 cases), respectively. Total antigen positive rate was 70.2% (36 cases). The expression of preS1/S2-Ag was located in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular epithelial cells, endothelial cells and mesangial cells, and positively correlated with the expression of HBcAg (r=0.459, P<001). The 4 antigens were not detected in the 5 cases of HBsAg-negative patients with glomerular MCD. In the 5 cases of HBsAg-positive patients with non-glomerulonephritis, there were 2 cases expressing HBeAg and 1 case expressing HBcAg, but no cases expressing preS1/S2-Ag or HBsAg. CONCLUSION：The expression of preS1/S2-Ag in renal tissues suggests that HBV may invade the cells of renal tissue. Combined detection of the 4 antigens could elevate the rate of diagnosis of HBV-GN.     

Role and potential mechanism of fecal microbiota transplantation in treatment of chronic hepatitis B

AIM To investigate the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation （FMT） on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B （CHB） and the potential mechanism. METHODS Fifty C57BL/6J mice （6~8 weeks old） were divided into 5 groups： control group, CHB group, entecavir （ETV） group, comprehensive treatment （ETV+FMT, EFMT） group, and blocker （TAK-242+ETV+FMT, EFMT-TAK） group. The mice in each group were given corresponding treatment. The general condition of the mice was observed daily, and fecal specimens were kept every 10 d. The mice were sacrificed after 12 weeks, and the liver tissues and blood samples were collected. HE staining was used for histological scoring. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） levels were measured by ELISA. Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） expression was detected by flow cytometry. Intestinal flora diversity was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS （1） Compared with control group, the body weight of the mice in CHB group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. The body weight loss of the mice in ETV group, EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was reversed to some extent as compared with CHB group （P<0.05）. （2） The histological score of the mice in CHB group was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. The score in ETV group was lower than that in CHB group （P<0.05）. The scores in EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group were lower than that in ETV group （P<0.05）, and that in EFMT-TAK group had a further downward trend compared with EFMT group （P<0.05）. （3） Compared with control group, the serum level of HBsAg in the CHB mice was significantly increased （P<0.05） and decreased after ETV treatment （P<0.05）. The HBsAg level in both EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was significantly lower than that in ETV group （P<0.05）. （4） The IL-18 level in CHB group was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. After ETV treatment, the IL-18 level was decreased （P<0.05）, and that in both EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was decreased more than that in ETV group （P<0.05）. （5） TLR4 expression in CHB group was higher than that in control group （P<0.05）, that in ETV group was lower than CHB group （P<0.05）, and that in EFMT group was further decreased （P<0.05）. （6） The heat map analysis at the class level showed that the abundances of Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria and Negativicutes in CHB group were significantly higher than those in control group, and those of Deltaproteobacteria and Negativicutes in EFMT group were close to those in control group. The heat map analysis at the family level indicated that the abundances of Burkholderiaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae and Veillonellaceae in CHB group were significantly higher than those in control group, while those in ETV group and EFMT group gradually approached normal levels. The α diversity index in CHB group was significantly decreased, while the diversity in ETV group was increased, that in EFMT group was further increased, and that in EFMT-TAK group was the highest. CONCLUSION FMT plays an active role in the treatment of CHB. The mechanism may be related to reducing the level of IL-18 and improving the structure and diversity of intestinal flora. The TLR4 signaling pathway is involved.     

Effect of hepatitis virus B protein on the functions of PBMCs isolated from patients with chronic HBV infection

AIM: To study the effect of hepatitis virus B proteins on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients among various types of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.METHODS: 80 patients of various types of chronic HBV infection were observed, including 40 HBeAg positive with abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (A group), 20 HBeAg positive with persistent normal ALT(B group), 20 HBeAg and HBV-DNA negative with persistent normal ALT level(C group). IL-10, IFN-γ in CD8+CD28+T cells, after stimulation with PHA, HBeAg and HBcAg for 48 h, were inspected respectively in PBMCs.RESULTS: IFN-γ was significantly lower in HBeAg positive patients. IL-10 was significantly higher in HBeAg positive with normal ALT. CD8+CD28+T were significantly lower than others. CONCLUSION: In HBeAg positive group, secretion of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and Th1 type cellular immunologic reaction is decreased, Th2 type cellular immunologic reaction is enhanced.     

Detection of miR-122 expression in serum by Taqman probe real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and its clinical significance

AIM: To detect the serum level of miR-122 expression by the technique of Taqman probe real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR for identifying its clinical significance. METHODS: The stem-loop RT primer, PCR primer and Taqman probe of miR-122 and U6 snRNA were designed. The expression of miR-122 in the serum samples of 27 cases of preoperative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 15 cases of hepatitis B, 15 cases of hepatitis C, 15 cases of healthy control (HC), 11 cases of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma (PHCC) and 10 cases of recurrence after postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by Taqman probe real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. U6 snRNA was used as the internal control. RESULTS: The results showed that the method of Taqman probe real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR could detect the amplification signal of serum miR-122. The expression level of serum miR-122 in the patients with HCC, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and recurrence was higher than that in HC and the patients with PHCC. Meanwhile, the serum level of miR-122 in the patients with hepatitis C was higher than that in the patients with HCC, hepatitis B and recurrence. However, no difference of miR-122 expression level among HCC, hepatitis B and recurrent patients was observed. The miR-122 level was lower in PHCC patients than that in HCC and recurrent patients. In hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) positive patients, the miR-122 level was higher than that in the negative ones. The miR-122 level in hepatitis C antibody (HCV-Ab) positive patients was raised compared with the negative ones. The serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was positively correlated with the serum level of miR-122 (r=0.34, P<0.05). The miR-122 expression level in the patients with serum AFP≥400 μg/L was higher than that in the patients with serum AFP<400 μg/L. CONCLUSION: The method of Taqman probe real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR can detect the serum level of miR-122 expression. Serum miR-122 might be used as a new biomarker of liver diseases, especially in the early diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the curative effect of surgical operation and the prognosis.     

Effect of HSP70 on HBV replication

AIM: To investigate the role of heat shock protein 70(HSP70)in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. METHODS: The effect of HBV replication on the expression of HSP70 was analyzed by RT-qPCR. The overexpression efficiency of HSP70 was confirmed by Western blot. The effect of HSP70 overexpression on HBV DNA replicative intermediates was analyzed by RT-qPCR and Southern blot. The effects of HSP70 overexpression on the expression level of HBV 3.5 kb mRNA and HBV core protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The Effect of HSP70 overexpression on HBV promoter activity was detected by dual luciferase reporter system. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of HSP70 were inhibited by HBV replication. Overexpression of HSP70 repressed the expression of HBV DNA replicative intermediates, 3.5 kb mRNA and core protein, as well as HBV core promoter activity. CONCLUSION: HBV replication inhibits the expression of HSP70. Overexpression of HSP70 represses HBV replication. These data suggest that HSP70 repressed HBV replication by inhibiting HBV core promoter activity.