Antiviral effects of hepatitis B virus S gene-specific anti-gene locked nucleic acid in transgenic mice

AIM To assess the antiviral effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV) S gene-specific anti-gene locked nucleic acid(LNA) in transgenic mice.METHODS Thirty HBV transgenic mice were acclimatized to laboratory conditions and positive for serum HBV surface antigen(HBs Ag) and HBV DNA, were randomly divided into 5 groups(n = 7), including negative control(blank control, unrelated sequence control), positive control(lamivudine, anti-sense-LNA), and anti-gene-LNA experimental group. LNA was injected into transgenic mice by tail vein while lamivudine was administeredby gavage. Serum HBV DNA and HBs Ag levels were determined by fluorescence-based PCR and enzymelinked immune sorbent assay, respectively. HBV S gene expression amounts were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Positive rates of HBsA g in liver cells were evaluated immunohistochemistry.RESULTS Average rate reductions of HBs Ag after treatment on the 3 rd, 5 th, and 7 th days were 32.34%, 45.96%, and 59.15%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of antigene-LNA on serum HBs Ag peaked on day 7, with statistically significant differences compared with pretreatment(0.96 ± 0.18 vs 2.35 ± 0.33, P < 0.05) and control values(P < 0.05 for all). Average reduction rates of HBV DNA on the 3 rd, 5 th, and 7 th days were 38.55%, 50.95%, and 62.26%, respectively. This inhibitory effect peaked on the 7 th day after treatment with anti-gene-LNA, with statistically significant differences compared with pre-treatment(4.17 ± 1.29 vs 11.05 ± 1.25, P < 0.05) and control values(P < 0.05 for all). The mR NA levels of the HBV S gene(P < 0.05 for all) and rates of HBsA g positive liver cells(P < 0.05 for all) were significantly reduced compared with the control groups. Liver and kidney function, and histology showed no abnormalities. CONCLUSION Anti-gene-LNA targeting the S gene of HBV displays strong inhibitory effects on HBV in transgenic mice, providing theoretical and experimental bases for gene therapy in HBV.

Relationship between HLA-DR gene polymorphisms and outcomes of hepatitis B viral infections:A meta-analysis

AIM:To assess the rigorous relationship between human leukocyte antigens(HLA)-DR alleles and outcomes of hepatitis B virus(HBV) infections by means of metaanalysis.METHODS:Medline/PubMed,EMBASE,CNKI and VIP were searched to identify relevant studies.Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Odds ratios(OR) and 95% confidence interval(95% CI) were pooled using Stata 11.0.Subgroup analyses were performed by ethnicity.Heterogeneity and publication bias analyses were performed to validate the credibility.RESULTS:A total of 2609 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 2606 controls spontaneously recovering from prior HBV infection were included.Meta-analysis showed that HLA-DR*04(OR = 0.72,95% CI:0.60-0.85) and DR*13(OR = 0.27,95% CI:0.19-0.37) alleles were significantly associated with HBV clearance while patients carrying HLA-DR*03(OR = 1.47,95% CI:1.16-1.87) or DR*07(OR = 1.59,95% CI:1.24-2.03) alleles had a significantly increased risk of chronic HBV persistence.For the HLA-DR*01 polymorphism,a significantly association with HBV clearance was found in Chinese Han group(OR = 0.48,95% CI:0.26-0.86),but not found in other ethnic groups(P = 0.191).For other polymorphisms,no association with the HBV infection outcome was found.CONCLUSION:HLA-DR*04 and DR*13 alleles may be the protective factors for HBV clearance and HLADR*03,and DR*07 alleles may be the risk factors for HBV persistence.