Screening of a High Growth Influenza B Virus Strain in Vero Cells

Due to the insufficient supply of embryonated chicken eggs,the preparation of large quantities of inactivated influenza vaccines will require an alternative virus culture system after the emergence or reemergence of a pandemic influenza virus.The Vero cell is one of the ideal options since it was used for producing many kinds of human vaccines.However,most of the influenza viruses can not grow well in Vero cells.To develop a new influenza vaccine with Vero cells as a substrate,the virus needs to adapt to this cell substrate to maintain high growth characteristics.By serial passages in Vero cells,the B/Yunnan/2/2005va(B)strain was successfully adapted to Vero cells,with the hemagglutination titer(HAT)of the virus reaching 1:512.The high growth characteristic of this strain is stable up to 21 passages.The strain was identified by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI)test and sequencing respectively;the HA1 gene sequence of the virus was cloned and analyzed.The screening and establishment of high growth B virus provides an important tool for influenza vaccine production in Vero cells.

Synthesis and in vitro-Anti-hepatitis B Virus Activities of Several Ethyl 5-Hydroxy-1H-indole-3-carboxylates

A series of ethyl 5-hydroxyindole-3-earboxylates 6a-10r was designed and synthesized. The structures of all the compounds were confirmed by IR, ^1H NMR, and MS and their anti-hepatitis B virus （HBV） activities were evaluated in 2.2.15 cells. Among them, compound 7g { ethyl 5-hydroxy-2- [ （ 3-methoxyphenylsulfinyl ） methyl ] -1-methyl-4- [ （4-methylpiperazin-1-yl） methyl ]-1H-indole-3-carboxylate} displays a significant anti-HBV activity, which is more potent than the positive control lamivudine.

GPC3 fused to an alpha epitope of HBsAg acts as an immune target against hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis B virus

BACKGROUND:The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)in China is closely related to the population infected with hepatitis B virus(HBV).HCC cells with HBV secrete soluble HBsAg into blood but do not express it on the cell membrane This study aimed to construct and investigate a new glycosyl phosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchored protein(GPC3+α+EGFP) as a DNA vaccine against HCC associated with HBV. METHODS:A recombinant plasmid(pcDNA3.1(+)/GPC3+ α+EGFP)was constructed and verified by restriction endo nuclease digestion and sequencing.pcDNA3.1(+)/GPC3+α+ EGFP was transfected into HepG2 cells(experimental group) using lipofectamine 2000.pEGFP-N1-transfected HepG2 cells were used as a negative control,and non-transfected HepG2 cells sreved as a blank control.HepG2 cells that steadily expressed the fusion protein GPC3+α+EGFP were screened by G418,propagated,and co-cultured with lymphocytes from healthy donors.Cell proliferation was measured by the classic sulforhodamine B assay.Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL),and Fas gene transcription was determined by quantitative fluorescent PCR. RESULTS:The pcDNA3.1(+)/GPC3+α+EGFP plasmid was successfully constructed.In the experimental group,green fluorescence was observed at the cell periphery and in the cytoplasm,whereas in the negative control group,fluorescence was evenly distributed throughout the cell.Proliferation of the experimental group significantly decreased after 72 hours compared to the negative and blank control groups.Furthermore,the number of apoptotic cells was statistically different among the three groups as determined by a contingency table Chisquare test;the experimental group had the highest incidence of apoptosis.Fas gene transcription in the experimental group was higher than in the two control groups,and an increasing trend with time in the experimental group was observed. CONCLUSION:A chimeric,membrane-anchored protein, GPC3+α+EGFP,localized to the membrane of HepG2 cells and inhibited proliferation and accelerated apoptosis through a Fas-FasL pathway after co-cultivation with lymphocytes.

Immunomodulatory effects of Tim-3 and PD-1 on chronic hepatitis B virus infection

In patients with chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection, the immune cells are dysfunctional, and the immune function cannot work normally. T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3(Tim-3) and programmed death receptor-1(PD-1) are overexpressed on the surface of immune cells, such as cluster of differentiation(CD)4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and natural killer(NK) cells. Many studies indicate that this phenomenon is closely related to the persistence, occurrence, development, and prognosis of HBV. Tim-3 and PD-1 may be used as new immune targets for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Synthesis and in vitro Anti-hepatitis B Virus Activity of Some Ethyl 5-Hydroxy-4-substituted Aminomethyl-2-sulfinylmethyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylates

A novel series of ethyl 5-hydroxy-4-substituted aminomethyl-2-sulfinylmethyl-lH-indole-3-carboxylates 8a--8j and 11e--11f was synthesized and evaluated in HepG2.2.15 cells for their anti-hepatitits B virus（HBV） activity and cytotoxicity. Among them, six compounds showed more potent inhibitory activity than lamivudine. Compound 8e exhibited the most significant anti-HBV activity with an IC50 value of 1.62 μmol/L, which was 33-times more potent than the reference drug lamivudine（IC50=54.78μmol/L）.

Role of Tim-3 in hepatitis B virus infection:An overview

Hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection has received increasing public attention. h BV is the prototypical member of hepadnaviruses, which naturally infect only humans and great apes and induce the acute and persistent chronic infection of hepatocytes. A large body of evidence has demonstrated that dysfunction of the host anti-viral immune response is responsible for persistent HBV replication, unresolved inflammation and disease progression. Many regulatory factors are involved in immune dysfunction. Among these, T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3(Tim-3), one of the immune checkpoint proteins, has attracted increasing attention due to its critical role in regulating both adaptive and innate immune cells. In chronic HBV infection, Tim-3 expression is elevated in many types of immune cells, such as T helper cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages and natural killer cells. Tim-3 over-expression is often accompanied by impaired function of the abovementioned immunocytes, and Tim-3 inhibition can at least partially rescue impaired immune function and thus promote viral clearance. A better understanding of the regulatory role of Tim-3 in host immunity during HBV infection will shed new light on the mechanisms of h BV-related liver disease and suggest new therapeutic methods for intervention.

Hepatitis B virus induces expression of cholesterol metabolism-related genes via TLR2 in HepG2 cells

AIM:To investigate whether hepatitis B virus(HBV) exacerbates hepatic cholesterol accumulation,and explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:HepG2 cells were infected with adenovirus(Ad) containing 1.3-fold overlength HBV genome.Realtime polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to measure mRNA and protein expression of target genes.Cholesterol accumulation was measured by fluorescence microscopy.Cell toxicity due to Ad-HBV treatment was determined by the mitochondrial tetrazolium assay.The protein levels of toll-like receptors(TLRs) were determined by Western blotting.RESULTS:Ad-HBV increased hepatic cholesterol accumulation and enhanced the mRNA and protein levels oflow-density lipoprotein receptor(LDLR) and 3-hydroxy3-methylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase(HMGCoAr) mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 cells.In addition,these inductive effects were partly offset by suppressing TLR2 expression levels by small interfering RNA in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION:Ad-HBV increases LDLR and HMGCoAr expression,resulting in exacerbated cholesterol accumulation in HepG2 cells,which was mediated via the TLR2 pathway.

Hepatitis B virus subgenotype F3 reactivation with vaccine escape mutations:A case report and review of the literature

Hepatitis B represents a global health threat because its chronic course and sequelae contribute to a high morbidity and mortality. Hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection can be controlled by vaccines, antiviral treatment, and by interrupting transmission. Rare vaccine escape mutants are serious because they eliminate vaccine protection. Here, we present a 74-year-old vaccinated patient with HBV reactivation 11 years after kidney transplantation. The patient was HBV-positive but HBs Ag-negative prior to vaccination 6 years before transplantation. The reactivated virus was HBV genotype F3 with vaccine escape mutations G145 R, P120 Q, and Q129 P. The patient was successfully treated with entecavir. The epidemiological reasons for this subgenotype, which is extremely rare in Western Europe, were unclear. This case illustrates that second-generation vaccines are not always effective in a specific group of patients.

Potential mechanisms of hepatitis B virus induced liver injury

Chronic active hepatitis(CAH) is acknowledged as an imperative risk factor for the development of liver injury and hepatocellular carcinoma.The histological end points of CAH are chronic inflammation,fibrosis and cirrhosis which are coupled with increased DNA synthesis in cirrhotic vs healthy normal livers.The potential mechanism involved in CAH includes a combination of processes leading to liver cell necrosis,inflammation and cytokine production and liver scaring(fibrosis).The severity of liver damage is regulated by Hepatitis B virus genotypes and viral components.The viral and cellular factors that contribute to liver injury are discussed in this article.Liver injury caused by the viral infection affects many cellular processes such as cell signaling,apoptosis,transcription,DNA repair which in turn induce radical effects on cell survival,growth,transformation and maintenance.The consequence of such perturbations is resulted in the alteration of bile secretion,gluconeogenesis,glycolysis,detoxification and metabolism of carbohydrates,proteins,fat and balance of nutrients.The identification and elucidation of the molecular pathways perturbed by the viral proteins are important in order to design effective strategy to minimize and/or restore the hepatocytes injury.

DNA-dependent activator of interferon-regulatory factors inhibits hepatitis B virus replication

AIM: To investigate whether DNA-dependent activator of interferon-regulatory factors (DAI) inhibits hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and what the mechanism is. METHODS: After the human hepatoma cell line Huh7 was cotransfected with DAI and HBV expressing plasmid, viral protein (HBV surface antigen and HBV e antigen) secretion was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and HBV RNA was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Northern blotting, and viral DNA replicative intermediates were examined by Southern blotting. Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation were analyzed via Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining respectively. Nuclear factor-B (NF- B) activity induced by DAI was detected by immunofluorescence staining of P65 and dual luciferase reporter assay. Transwell co-culture experiment was performed in order to investigate whether the antiviral effects of DAI were dependent on the secreted cytokines. RESULTS: Viral protein secretion was significantly reduced by 57% (P < 0.05), and the level of total HBV RNA was reduced by 67% (P < 0.05). The viral core particle-associated DNA was also dramatically down-regulated in DAI-expressing Huh7 cells. Analysis of involved signaling pathways revealed that activation of NF-B signaling was essential for DAI to elicit antiviral response in Huh7 cells. When the NF-B signaling pathway was blocked by a NF-B signaling suppressor (I B -SR), the anti-HBV activity of DAI was remarkably abrogated. The inhibitory effect of DAI was independent of IRF3 signaling and secreted cytokines. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that DAI can inhibit HBV replication and the inhibitory effect is associated with activation of NF-B but independent of IRF3 and secreted cytokines.

High-Value-Added Utilization of Turpentine:Screening of Anti-Influenza Virus Agents fromβ-Pinene Derivatives

Turpentine is a renewable and resourceful forest product.The deep processing and utilization of turpentine,particularly its primary componentβ-pinene,has garnered widespread attention.This study aimed to synthesize 40 derivatives ofβ-pinene,including nopinone,3-cyanopyridines of nopinone,myrtanyl acid,myrtanyl acylthioureas,and myrtanyl amides.We assessed the antiviral activities of theseβ-pinene derivatives against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34(H1N1)using the 3-(4,5-dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method.Theβ-pinene derivatives were used before and after cellular infection with the influenza virus to evaluate their preventive and therapeutic effects against the H1N1 virus.The results showed that only compound 10o exhibited a preventive effect against the H1N1 virus with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value of 47.6μmol/L.Among the compounds,4e,4i,and 4l demonstrated therapeutic effects against cellular infection,with compound 4e displaying the most potent therapeutic effect(IC50=17.5μmol/L),comparable to the positive control ribavirin.These findings indicated that certainβ-pinene derivatives exhibited in vitro antiviral activity against the H1N1 influenza A virus,warranting further investigation as potential anti-influenza agents.

Using amino acid features to identify the pathogenicity of influenza B virus

Background:Influenza B virus can cause epidemics with high pathogenicity, so it poses a serious threat to public health. A feature representation algorithm is proposed in this paper to identify the pathogenicity phenotype of influenza B virus.Methods:The dataset included all 11 influenza virus proteins encoded in eight genome segments of 1724 strains. Two types of features were hierarchically used to build the prediction model. Amino acid features were directly delivered from 67 feature descriptors and input into the random forest classifier to output informative features about the class label and probabilistic prediction. The sequential forward search strategy was used to optimize the informative features. The final features for each strain had low dimensions and included knowledge from different perspectives, which were used to build the machine learning model for pathogenicity identification.Results:The 40 signature positions were achieved by entropy screening. Mutations at position 135 of the hemagglutinin protein had the highest entropy value (1.06). After the informative features were directly generated from the 67 random forest models, the dimensions for class and probabilistic features were optimized as 4 and 3, respectively. The optimal class features had a maximum accuracy of 94.2% and a maximum Matthews correlation coefficient of 88.4%, while the optimal probabilistic features had a maximum accuracy of 94.1% and a maximum Matthews correlation coefficient of 88.2%. The optimized features outperformed the original informative features and amino acid features from individual descriptors. The sequential forward search strategy had better performance than the classical ensemble method.Conclusions:The optimized informative features had the best performance and were used to build a predictive model so as to identify the phenotype of influenza B virus with high pathogenicity and provide early risk warning for disease control.

神经介素B及受体NMBR和PD-L1在H9N2亚型流感病毒感染过程中的相互作用研究

神经介素B(NMB)及其G蛋白偶联受体(NMBR)发挥的抗甲型流感病毒免疫反应,以及甲型流感病毒感染诱导细胞程序性死亡配体1(PD-L1)高表达均与NF-κB信号通路有直接关系,而NF-κB信号通路的激活受ERK信号通路的调控。为深入探究NMB与NMBR调节H9N2亚型流感病毒感染诱导PD-L1上的作用,本研究以H9N2亚型流感病毒为模式毒株,基于NMBR干扰和过表达细胞系、PD-L1干扰和过表达细胞系以及C57BL/6小鼠,采用RT-PCR和Western blot方法分析NMB与NMBR对PD-L1表达变化以及ERK磷酸化的影响。结果显示:H9N2亚型流感病毒感染诱导的NMBR和PD-L1表达之间存在着负调控的关系,外源性NMB可以有效激活小鼠体内NMBR的表达,进而抑制PD-L1表达,NMB与NMBR也能影响H9N2感染诱导的ERK磷酸化水平。综上,H9N2亚型流感病毒感染诱导表达的NMB与NMBR通过ERK信号通路调节PD-L1的表达而发挥抗流感病毒作用,将为深度剖析宿主-甲型流感病毒之间的互作关系提供新的科学依据。

Cross-neutralizing Anti-hemagglutinin Antibodies Isolated from Patients Infected with Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus

Objective To recover broad-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies(Bn Abs)from avian influenza A(H5N1)virus infection cases and investigate their genetic and functional features.Methods We screened the Abs repertoires of expanded B cells circulating in the peripheral blood of H5N1 patients.The genetic basis,biological functions,and epitopes of the obtained Bn Abs were assessed and modeled.Results Two Bn Abs,2-12 D5,and 3-37 G7.1,were respectively obtained from two human H5N1 cases on days 12 and 21 after disease onset.Both Abs demonstrated cross-neutralizing and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity(ADCC)activity.Albeit derived from distinct Ab lineages,i.e.,V^H1-69-D2-15-JH^4(2-12D5)and V^H1-2-D3-9-JH^5(3-32 G7.1),the Bn Abs were directed toward CR6261-like epitopes in the HA stem,and HA2 I45 in the hydrophobic pocket was the critical residue for their binding.Signature motifs for binding with the HA stem,namely,IFY in VH1-69-encoded Abs and LXYFXW in D3-9-encoded Abs,were also observed in 2-12D5 and 3-32 G7.1,respectively.Conclusions Cross-reactive B cells of different germline origins could be activated and re-circulated by avian influenza virus.The HA stem epitopes targeted by the Bn Abs,and the two Ab-encoding genes usage implied the VH1-69 and D3-9 are the ideal candidates triggered by influenza virus for vaccine development.

METTL3通过IGF2BP2依赖性方式参与m6A修饰调控HBV复制的机制

目的探究胰岛素样生长因子2 mRNA结合蛋白2(insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2,IGF2BP2)协助甲基转移酶样3(methytransferase like 3,METTL3)通过N6-甲基腺苷(N6-methyladenosine,m6A)修饰调控HBV复制的分子机制。方法以HBV稳定复制细胞系HepG2.2.15及其亲本细胞HepG2为模型,斑点杂交分析m6A修饰水平,RT-qPCR和Western blot检测METTL3、IGF2BP2表达。生物信息学及免疫共沉淀分析METTL3与m6A阅读蛋白及其相互作用。将METTL3质粒、METTL3 siRNA和(或)IGF2BP2 siRNA转染至HepG2.2.15细胞,分别记为OE-METTL3、si-METTL3、si-IGF2BP2、OE-METTL3+si-IGF2BP2、si-METTL3+si-IGF2BP2、Control组;qPCR检测HBV DNA、HBV rcDNA、HBV cccDNA拷贝数,RT-qPCR或Western blot检测HBV pgRNA、METTL3、IGF2BP2表达。结果与HepG2细胞相比,在HepG2.2.15细胞中m6A修饰富集,METTL3、IGF2BP2表达水平升高(P<0.05)。与Control组相比,在OE-METTL3组中m6A修饰富集增强,IGF2BP2表达水平升高(P<0.05),HBV复制相关指标(HBV DNA、HBV rcDNA、HBV cccDNA、HBV pgRNA)升高(P<0.01);在si-METTL3组中则相反。生物信息学分析及免疫共沉淀显示METTL3与IGF2BP2为互作蛋白。与Control组相比,在si-IGF2BP2组中m6A修饰富集减弱,METTL3表达水平降低(P<0.01),HBV复制相关指标降低(P<0.01)。在OE-METTL3+si-IGF2BP2组中,HBV复制相关指标较OE-METTL3组降低(P<0.001)。在si-METTL3+si-IGF2BP2组中,HBV复制相关指标较si-METTL3组、si-IGF2BP2组降低(P<0.05)。结论METTL3依赖IGF2BP2富集m6A通过增强HBV rcDNA转化为cccDNA,进而增强pgRNA逆转录复制病毒。

Synthesis and Anti-influenza Virus Activity of Ethyl 6-Bromo-5-hydroxyindole-3-carboxylate Derivatives

A series of ethyl 6-bromo-5-hydroxyindole-3-carboxylate derivatives were synthesized and their in vitro anti-influenza virus activity was evaluated. All the compounds were characterized by 1H NMR and MS.

HBV相关原发肝细胞癌患者T淋巴细胞、壳酶蛋白和DR-70表达水平差异

目的探讨不同临床分型乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染患者外周血T淋巴细胞、壳酶蛋白、纤维蛋白降解复合物(DR-70)表达水平的变化及临床意义,分析肝细胞癌患者T淋巴细胞、壳酶蛋白和DR-70的相关性。方法回顾性选取2017年9月至2022年9月烟台市奇山医院收治的慢性HBV感染患者173例作为试验组[男114例,女59例,年龄(45.38±12.72)岁],再根据病情分为乙型肝炎病毒携带者59例、慢性乙型肝炎患者51例、肝硬化患者31例和肝细胞癌患者32例,以同期健康体检者40例作为对照组[男22例,女18例,年龄(39.15±14.95)岁]。运用流式细胞术检测各研究对象外周血T淋巴细胞亚群表达水平,采用酶联免疫吸附试验双抗体夹心法定量检测外周血DR-70水平,应用磁微粒化学发光法检测外周血壳酶蛋白水平。两两比较采用Games-Howell检验,Welch方差用于分析组间方差不齐。Kruskal-Wallis H检验用于非正态分布的计量资料比较,采用χ^(2)检验和Pearson相关分析法进行计数资料组间比较和相关性分析。结果肝细胞癌组CD3^(+)表达水平[(61.43±19.26)%]最低,肝硬化组CD3^(+)CD8^(+)表达水平[(17.89±9.15)%]最低,与对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);CD3^(+)CD4^(+)水平在试验组各小组中升高程度不同,肝硬化组最高[(37.16±13.84)%],与对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。慢性乙型肝炎组、肝硬化组和肝细胞癌组外周血DR-70和壳酶蛋白水平均不同程度升高(均P<0.01),且均在肝细胞癌组中表达水平[(30.11±9.96)mg/L、(213.11±39.76)μg/L]最高(均P<0.01)。肝细胞癌组患者外周血CD3^(+)T淋巴细胞表达占比与DR-70水平呈负相关(r=-0.291,P=0.037)。结论血清DR-70和壳酶蛋白在细胞肝癌中高表达,与T淋巴细胞亚群联合检测可用于评估慢性肝病患者疾病进展程度,有助于慢性乙型肝炎的临床诊疗,特别是对肝脏肿瘤的早期诊断具有较大的应用价值。

ATP1B3 Restricts Hepatitis B Virus Replication Via Reducing the Expression of the Envelope Proteins

Our recent study reported that ATP1B3 inhibits hepatitis B virus(HBV)replication via inducing NF-κB activation.However,ATP1B3 mutants which were defective in NF-κB activation still maintained the moderate degree of suppression on HBV replication,suggesting that another uncharacterized mechanism is also responsible for ATP1B3-mediated HBV suppression.Here,we demonstrated that ATP1B3 reduced the expression of HBV envelope proteins LHBs,MHBs and SHBs,but had no effect on intracellular HBV DNA,RNA levels as well as HBV promoter activities.Further investigation showed that proteasome inhibitor MG132 rescued ATP1B3-mediated envelope proteins degradation,demonstrating that proteasome-dependent pathway is involved in ATP1B3-induced degradation of envelope proteins.Co-IP showed that ATP1B3 interacts with LHBs and MHBs and induces LHBs and MHBs polyubiquitination.Immunofluorescence colocalization analysis confirmed LHBs and MHBs colocalized with ATP1B3 together.Our work provides important information for targeting ATP1B3 as a potential therapeutic molecule for HBV infection.

Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis induced by influenza infection:A case report

BACKGROUND Among the various types and causes of mesenteric ischemia,superior mesenteric vein(SMV)thrombosis is a rare and ambiguous disease.If a patient presents with SMV thrombosis,past medical history should be reviewed,and the patient should be screened for underlying disease.SMV thrombosis may also occur due to systemic infection.In this report,we describe a case of SMV thrombosis complicated by influenza B infection.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old male visited the hospital with general weakness,muscle aches,fever,and abdominal pain.The patient underwent computed tomography(CT)and was diagnosed with SMV thrombosis.Since the patient’s muscle pain and fever could not be explained by the SMV thrombosis,the clinician performed a test for influenza,which produced a positive result for influenza B.The patient had a thrombus in the SMV only,with no invasion of the portal or splenic veins,and was clinically stable.Anticoagulation treatment was prescribed without surgery or other procedures.The follow-up CT scan showed improvement,and the patient was subsequently discharged with continued oral anticoagulant treatment.CONCLUSION This case provides evidence that influenza may be a possible risk factor for SMV thrombosis.If unexplained abdominal pain is accompanied by an influenza infection,examination of an abdominal CT scan may be necessary to screen for possible SMV thrombosis.

Linked PNPLA3 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and decreased viral load in chronic hepatitis B

AIM:To investigate the association of PNPLA3 polymorphisms with concurrent chronic hepatitis B(CHB) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS:A cohort of Han patients with biopsyproven CHB,with or without NAFLD(CHB group,n = 51;CHB + NAFLD group,n = 57),and normal controls(normal group,n = 47) were recruited from Northern(Tianjin),Central(Shanghai),and Southern(Zhangzhou) China.Their PNPLA3 polymorphisms were genotyped by gene sequencing.The association between PNPLA3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to NAFLD,and clinical characteristics of NAFLD were evaluated on the basis of physical indices,liver function tests,glycolipid metabolism,and histopathologic scoring.The association of PNPLA3 polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus(HBV) load was determined by the serum level of HBV DNA.RESULTS:After adjusting for age,sex,and body mass index,we found that four linked single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of PNPLA3,including the rs738409 G allele(CHB + NAFLD group vs CHB group:odds ratio[OR]= 2.77,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.18-6.54;P = 0.02),rs3747206 T allele(CHB+ NAFLD group vs CHB group:OR = 2.77,95%CI:1.18-6.54;P = 0.02),rs4823173 A allele(CHB +NAFLD group vs CHB group:OR = 2.73,95%CI:1.16-6.44;P= 0.02),and rs2072906 G allele(CHB+ NAFLD group vs CHB group:OR = 3.05,95%CI:1.28-7.26;P = 0.01),conferred high risk to NAFLD in CHB patients.In patients with both CHB and NAFLD,these genotypes of PNPLA3 polymorphisms were associated with increased susceptibility to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)(NAFLD activity score ≥3;P =0.01-0.03) and liver fibrosis(>1 Metavir grading;P =0.01-0.04).As compared to those with C/C and C/G at rs738409,C/C and C/T at rs3747206,G/G and G/A at rs4823173,and A/A and A/G at rs2072906,patients in the CHB + NAFLD group with G/G at rs738409,T/T at rs3747206,A/A at rs4823173,and G/G at rs2072906 showed significantly lower serum levels of HBV DNA(P< 0.01-0.05).CONCLUSION:Four linked SNPs of PNPLA3(rs738409,rs3747206,rs4823173,and rs2072906) are correlated with susceptibility to NAFLD,NASH,liver fibrosis,and HBV dynamics in CHB patients.