AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a new hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen assay developed in China. METHODS: After the determination of HCV infection, 49 serial samples were selected from II regular plasma donor...AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a new hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen assay developed in China. METHODS: After the determination of HCV infection, 49 serial samples were selected from II regular plasma donors in 5 different plasma stations. To compare the performance of HCV core antigen detection and HCV PCR, these samples were genotyped, and each specimen was analyzed by ELISA for the detection of HCV core antigen and by qualitative HCV PCR. RESULTS: Among all of the sequential samples, the original 23 specimens were HCV RNA-negative, and 36 samples were HCV RNA-positive. Twenty-seven samples (75%) were HCV core antigen-positive from these HCV RNA-positive specimens. Conversely, 27 samples (93.2%) were found HCV RNA-positive in HCV core antigen- positive samples. Intervals between HCV RNA and HCV core antigen-positive, as well as between HCV core antigen-positive and HCV antibody-positive were 36.0 and 32.8 d, respectively. CONCLUSION: This HCV core antigen assay, developed in China, is able to detect much of anti-HCV-negative, HCV RNA-positive preseroconversion window period (PWP) plasma donations.展开更多
AIM: To investigate whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) could induce a hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg)specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in vitro by dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with lentiv...AIM: To investigate whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) could induce a hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg)specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in vitro by dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with lentiviral vector-encoding ubiquitinated hepatitis B virus core antigen (LV-Ub-HBcAg).METHODS: Recombinant LV-Ub-HBcAg were transfected into highly susceptible 293 T cells to obtain high virus titres, Bone marrow-derived DCs isolated from BALB/c mice were cultured with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and recombinant interleukin (IL)-4. LV-Ub-HBcAg, lentiviral vector-encoding hepatitis B virus core antigen (LV-HBcAg), lentiviral vector (LV) or lipopolysaccharide were added to induce DC maturation, and the DC phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The level of IL-12 in the supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T lymphocytes were proliferated using Cell Counting Kit-8. DCs were cultured and induced to mature using different LVs, and co-cultured with allogeneic T cells to detect the secretion levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10and interferon-γ in the supernatants of T cells by ELISA. Intracellular cytokines of proliferative T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and specific CTL activity was measured by a lactate dehydrogenase release assay.RESULTS: LV-Ub-HBcAg-induced DCs secreted more IL-12 and upregulated the expression of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility class ]I, DCs sensitised by different LVs effectively promoted cytokine secretion; the levels of IL-2 and interferon-y induced by LV-Ub- HBcAg were higher than those induced by LV-HBcAg, Compared with LV-HBcAg-transduced DCs, LV-Ub- HBcAg-transduced DCs more efficiently stimulated the proliferation of T lymphocytes and generated HBcAgspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.CONCLUSION: LV-Ub-HBcAg effectively induced DC maturation. The mature DCs efficiently induced T cell polarisation to Thl and generated HBcAg-specific CTLs.展开更多
While hepatitis B virus(HBV)screening relies on hepatitis B surface antigen to confirm HBV infection since the early days of hepatitis B disease management,hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection screening is based on anti-HC...While hepatitis B virus(HBV)screening relies on hepatitis B surface antigen to confirm HBV infection since the early days of hepatitis B disease management,hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection screening is based on anti-HCV testing which does not discriminate active from past infection.Thus to confirm infection HCV RNA testing has been required;recently a HCV core antigen assay became widely commercially available which could serve to confirm infection.That assay is less sensitive than current HCV RNA assays,but as more than 50%of anti-HCV positive persons will be HCV core antigen positive,HCV core antigen testing can be a cost effective and reflex test to confirm HCV infection in anti-HCV positive individuals and will be easier as it can be applied on the same platform.For treatment monitoring,more data need to be generated,but the early data available at present suggest that HCV core antigen may be an alternative to HCV RNA monitoring.With direct antivirals,HCV core antigen could even be superior to HCV RNA testing,as direct antivirals might already prevent virus formation when HCV core antigen is still produced and thereby correlates better with eventual viral clearance.展开更多
BACKGROUND Quantitative hepatitis B core-related antigen(qHBcrAg)has a better correlation with intrahepatic hepatitis B virus(HBV)covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA)than HBV DNA or hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg),but ...BACKGROUND Quantitative hepatitis B core-related antigen(qHBcrAg)has a better correlation with intrahepatic hepatitis B virus(HBV)covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA)than HBV DNA or hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg),but data are still lacking for its clinical application.AIM The aim was to investigate serum qHBcrAg levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B and assess the correlation of serum qHBcrAg with pregenomic RNA(pgRNA),cccDNA,and HBeAg seroconversion.METHODS This study was a secondary analysis of patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy between July 2014 and June 2019 in two multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials of peginterferon vs nucleos(t)ide analog(NUC)-based therapy(NCT03509688 and NCT03546530).Serum qHBcrAg,pgRNA,HBV DNA,hepatitis B core antigen,HBeAg,liver cccDNA,and HBV DNA were measured.The correlations of serum qHBcrAg with other biomarkers were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 139 patients were included.The mean qHBcrAg levels were 5.32±1.18 log10 U/mL at baseline and decreased during treatment(all P<0.0001).Serum qHBcrAg levels were positively correlated with pgRNA(r=0.597,P<0.0001)and cccDNA(r=0.527,P<0.0001)levels.The correlation of serum qHBcrAg level and intrahepatic HBV DNA levels at baseline was weak but significant(r=0.399,P<0.0001).HBcrAg predicted HBeAg seroconversion,with areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.788 at 24 wk and 0.825 at 48 wk.Log HBcrAg at wk 24 and 48 was independently associated with HBeAg seroconversion[odds ratio(OR)=2.402,95%confidence interval(CI):1.314-4.391,P=0.004;OR=3.587,95%CI:1.315-9.784,P=0.013].CONCLUSION Serum HBcrAg levels were correlated with HBV virological markers and could be used to predict HBeAg seroconversion.展开更多
BACKGROUND Non-invasive evaluation for liver fibrosis is clinically important,especially in patients with undetectable hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA treated with nucleoside analogs.AIM To clarify the monitoring power of h...BACKGROUND Non-invasive evaluation for liver fibrosis is clinically important,especially in patients with undetectable hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA treated with nucleoside analogs.AIM To clarify the monitoring power of hepatitis B core-related antigen(HBcrAg)for hepatic histologic changes in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)treated with entecavir.METHODS This prospective multicenter study used multiple ordinal and multivariate logistics regression analysis to assess variables associated with Ishak fibrosis score and regression for fibrosis regression,respectively,in 403 CHB patients,including 374 with entecavir for 72 weeks(291 underwent paired liver biopsy)and 29 as controls.RESULTS Level of HBcrAg correlated negatively with liver fibrosis staging(γ=-0.357,P<0.001)in hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive patients,and positively with liver fibrosis staging in HBeAg-negative patients.Higher HBcrAg concentration was associated with younger age,HBeAg positive status,high HBV DNA loads,high level of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)and higher necroinflammation,but not with HBV genotype.Serum concentration of HBcrAg,basal core promoter/precore(BCP/PC)mutant,quantitation of HBsAg(qHBsAg)and platelet counts were independently associated with Ishak fibrosis score on multiple ordinal regression.HBV DNA was undetectable in 88.37%of patients treated with entecavir at week 72,while their level of HBcrAg was still detectable.A greater reduction in post-treatment HBcrAg concentration was associated with the regression of hepatic fibrosis and histological improvement.HBcrAg concentration>6.33 log IU/mL at baseline and logarithmic reduction>1.03 log IU/mL at week 72 were associated with a higher chance of regression of liver fibrosis and histological improvement,respectively.CONCLUSION HBcrAg level is associated with liver fibrosis progression.HBcrAg is an excellent monitor of hepatic histological changes,especially in CHB patients treated with nucleoside analogs.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the role of pre-core and basal core promoter(BCP) mutations before and after hepatitis Be antigen(HBe Ag) seroconversion.METHODS: The proportion of pre-core(G1896A) and basal core promoter(A1762T a...AIM: To investigate the role of pre-core and basal core promoter(BCP) mutations before and after hepatitis Be antigen(HBe Ag) seroconversion.METHODS: The proportion of pre-core(G1896A) and basal core promoter(A1762T and G1764A) mutant viruses and serum levels of hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), and HB core-related antigen were analyzed in chronic hepatitis B patients before and after HBe Ag seroconversion(n = 25), in those who were persistently HBe Ag positive(n = 18), and in those who were persistently anti-HBe positive(n = 43). All patients were infected with HBV genotype C and were followed for a median of 9 years.RESULTS: Although the pre-core mutant became predominant(24% to 65%, P = 0.022) in the HBe Ag seroconversion group during follow-up, the proportion of the basal core promoter mutation did not change. Median HBV viral markers were significantly higher in patients without the mutations in an HBe Ag positive status(HBV DNA: P = 0.003; HBs Ag: P < 0.001; HB core-related antigen: P = 0.001). In contrast, HBV DNA(P = 0.012) and HBs Ag(P = 0.041) levels were significantly higher in patients with the pre-core mutation in an anti-HBe positive status.CONCLUSION: There is an opposite association of the pre-core mutation with viral load before and after HBe Ag seroconversion in patients with HBV infection.展开更多
INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most commonetiologic agent for infectious liver diseases. It isestimated that there are more than 250 millionchronic HBV carriersin the world today and thereis a significant ...INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most commonetiologic agent for infectious liver diseases. It isestimated that there are more than 250 millionchronic HBV carriersin the world today and thereis a significant association among persistentinfection, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellularcarcinoma[1-3].展开更多
AIM: To investigate the immunogenidty of a novel DNA vacoine, pSW3891/HBc, based on HBV core gene in Balb/c mice. METHODS: A novel DNA vaccine, pSW3891/HBc, encoding HBV core gene was constructed using a vector plas...AIM: To investigate the immunogenidty of a novel DNA vacoine, pSW3891/HBc, based on HBV core gene in Balb/c mice. METHODS: A novel DNA vaccine, pSW3891/HBc, encoding HBV core gene was constructed using a vector plasmid pSW3891. Balb/c mice were immunized with either pSW3891/HBc or empty vector DNA via gene gun. IgG anti-HBc responses in mouse sera were demonstrated by ELISA. Specific cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) of mice was quantitatively measured by lactate dehydrogenase release assay. RESULTS: HBcAg was expressed effectively in 293T cell line transiently transfected with pSW3891/HBc. Strong IgG anti-HBc responses were elicited in mice immunized with pSW3891/HBc. The end-point titers of anti-HBc reached the highest 1:97 200, 4 wk after the third immunization. The specific CTL killing with the highest specific lysis reached 73.25% at effector:target ratio of 20:1 in mice that received pSW3891/HBc DNA vaccine. CONCLUSION: pSW3891/HBc vaccination elicits specific anti-HBc response and induces HBc-specific CTL response in immunized Balb/c mice.展开更多
AIM: To study the intrahepatic expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in chronic hepatitis B patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS: A total of 33 ch...AIM: To study the intrahepatic expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in chronic hepatitis B patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS: A total of 33 chronic hepatitis B patients (mean age of 40.3 ± 2.5 years), comprising of 14 HBeAg positive and 19 HBeAg negative patients; and 13 patients with hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma (mean age of 49.6 ± 4.7 years), were included in our study. Immunohistochemical staining for HBcAg and HBsAg was done using standard streptavidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase technique on paraffin-embedded liver biopsies. The HBcAg and HBsAg staining distributions and patterns were described according to a modified classification system.RESULTS: Compared to the HBeAg negative patients, the HBeAg positive patients were younger, had higher mean HBV DNA and alanine transaminases levels. All the HBeAg positive patients had intrahepatic HBcAg staining; predominantly with “diffuse” distribution (79%) and “mixed cytoplasmic/nuclear” pattern (79%). In comparison, only 5% of the HBeAg-negative patients had intrahepatic HBcAg staining. However, the intrahepatic HBsAg staining has wider distribution among the HBeAg negative patients, namely; majority of the HBeAg negative cases had “patchy” HBsAg distribution compared to “rare” distribution among the HBeAg positive cases. All but one patient with HCC were HBeAg negative with either undetectable HBV DNA or very low level of viremia. Intrahepatic HBcAg and HBsAg were seen in 13 (100%) and 10 (77%) of the HCC patients respectively. Interestingly, among the 9 HCC patients on anti-viral therapy with suppressed HBV DNA, HBcAg and HBsAg were detected in tumor tissues but not the adjacent liver in 4 (44%) and 1 (11%) patient respectively.CONCLUSION: Isolated intrahepatic HBcAg and HBsAg can be present in tumors of patients with suppressed HBV DNA on antiviral therapy; that may predispose them to cancer development.展开更多
BACKGROUND Current diagnosis of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection requires two sequential steps:testing for anti-HCV followed by HCV RNA PCR to confirm viremia.We have developed a highly sensitive and specific HCV-antig...BACKGROUND Current diagnosis of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection requires two sequential steps:testing for anti-HCV followed by HCV RNA PCR to confirm viremia.We have developed a highly sensitive and specific HCV-antigens enzyme immunoassay(HCV-Ags EIA)for one-step diagnosis of viremic HCV infection.AIM To assess the clinical application of the HCV-Ags EIA in one-step diagnosis of viremic HCV infection in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-coinfected individuals.METHODS The study blindly tested HCV-Ags EIA for its performance in one-step diagnosing viremic HCV infection in 147 sera:10 without HCV or HIV infection;54 with viremic HCV monoinfection;38 with viremic HCV/HIV coinfection;and 45 with viremic HCV and non-viremic HIV coinfection.RESULTS Upon decoding,it was 100%accordance of HCV-Ags EIA to HCV infection status by HCV RNA PCR test.In five sera with HCV infection,HCV RNA was as low as 50-59 IU/mL,and four out of five tested positive for HCV-Ags EIA.Likewise,it was also 100%accordance of HCV-Ags EIA to HCV infection status by HCV RNA PCR in 83 sera with HCV and HIV coinfection,regardless if HIV infection was active or not.CONCLUSION The modified HCV-Ags EIA has a lower detection limit equivalent to serum HCV RNA levels of approximately 100 IU/mL.It is highly sensitive and specific in the setting of HIV coinfection,regardless of HIV infection status and CD4 count.These data support the clinical application of the HCV-Ags EIA in one-step diagnosis of HCV infection in HIV-infected individuals.展开更多
AIM: To elucidate the biological function of HBV core antigen (HBcAg) on pathogenesis of hepatitis B, a novel gene C12 coding for protein with unknown function interacting with HBcAg in hepatocytes was identified a...AIM: To elucidate the biological function of HBV core antigen (HBcAg) on pathogenesis of hepatitis B, a novel gene C12 coding for protein with unknown function interacting with HBcAg in hepatocytes was identified and characterized. METHODS: HBcAg bait plasmid pGBKT7-HBcAg was constructed and transformed into yeast AH109, then the transformed yeast was mated with yeast Y187 containing liver complementary DNA (cDNA) library plasmid in 2xYPDA medium. Diploid yeast was plated on synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) and synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) containing X-α-gal for screening twice. After extracting and sequencing of plasmid from blue colonies, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel protein designated as C12 that directly interacted with HBcAg. The interaction between HBcAg and C12 was verified again by re-mating. pEGFP-N1-C12 fluorescent protein fusion gene was transfected in 293 and L02 cell, and observed by fluorescent microscope. M-FI reduction assay was used to study the action of C12 protein effect on metabolism of mammal cell. Yeast two-hybrid and cDNA microarray were performed to search binding protein and differential expression genes regulated by C12 protein. RESULTS: C12 gene was screened and identified by yeast two-hybrid system 3. The interaction between HBcAg and the novel protein coded by the new gene C12 was further confirmed by re-mating. After 48 h, fluorescence of fusion protein could be observed steadily in the 293 and L02 cell plasma. Under MTT assay, we found that the expression of C12 did not influence the growth of liver cells. Seventeen differential expression genes in HepG2 cells transfected with C12 protein expression plasmid by cDNA microarray, of which 16 genes were upregulated and 1 gene was downregulated by C12 protein. Twenty-one colonies containing 16 different genes coding for C12 protein binding proteins were isolated by yeast two-hybrid, there were 2 new genes with unknown function. CONCLUSION: The novel protein C12 is located in cell plasma, and its overexpression has no significant effect on the metabolism of liver cell. It interacts with many proteins in hepatocytes and may be involved in many processes of gene expression. 2005 The W.IG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved展开更多
目的探讨乙肝感染不同阶段的乙肝核心相关抗原(hepatitis B core-related antigen,HBcrAg)水平及HBcrAg联合AFP、异常凝血酶原(protein induced by vitamin K absence-Ⅱ,PIVKA-Ⅱ)对乙肝相关肝癌的诊断价值。方法选取2019年10月至2021...目的探讨乙肝感染不同阶段的乙肝核心相关抗原(hepatitis B core-related antigen,HBcrAg)水平及HBcrAg联合AFP、异常凝血酶原(protein induced by vitamin K absence-Ⅱ,PIVKA-Ⅱ)对乙肝相关肝癌的诊断价值。方法选取2019年10月至2021年3月首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院的HBsAg阳性患者562例,根据临床诊断分为慢乙肝组(173例)、肝硬化组(218例)、肝癌组(54例)和肝癌术后组(117例);分别以HBsAg 3.0 Log IU/ml,HBcrAg 4.0 Log U/ml为界将所有患者分为4组,其中低HBsAg低HBcrAg组(142例)、低HBsAg高HBcrAg组(124例)、高HBsAg低HBcrAg组(31例)和高HBsAg高HBcrAg组(113例)。比较各组HBcrAg、AFP、PIVKA-Ⅱ等血清学标志物水平,采用ROC曲线评估HBcrAg、AFP和PIVKA-Ⅱ对乙肝相关肝癌的诊断价值。结果562例患者中,男403例,女159例;年龄7~81岁,中位年龄51.0岁。临床诊断各组HBcrAg、AFP、PIVKA-Ⅱ等指标的比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);低HBsAg高HBcrAg组肝癌患病比例为12.1%(15/124),高于其他组(P<0.05)。HBcrAg、AFP和PIVKA-Ⅱ诊断HCC的ROC曲线的AUC分别为0.544(95%CI:0.473~0.613,P<0.05)、0.774(95%CI:0.712~0.829,P<0.05)和0.847(95%CI:0.790~0.893,P<0.05),灵敏度分别为53.1%、66.7%和76.7%,特异性分别为61.7%、86.0%和87.3%;三者联合诊断HCC的ROC曲线的AUC为0.795(95%CI:0.697~0.893,P<0.05),灵敏度为83.0%,特异性为67.0%。结论肝癌组HBcrAg高于慢乙肝组、肝硬化组和肝癌术后组。在核苷类似物治疗情况下,HBcrAg单一指标不能很好地对肝癌进行预测,HBcrAg联合AFP、PIVKA-Ⅱ可提高肝癌诊断的灵敏度。展开更多
基金Supported by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 10th Five-Year Plan, No. 2001BA705B06 National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program), No. 2006AA020907
文摘AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a new hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen assay developed in China. METHODS: After the determination of HCV infection, 49 serial samples were selected from II regular plasma donors in 5 different plasma stations. To compare the performance of HCV core antigen detection and HCV PCR, these samples were genotyped, and each specimen was analyzed by ELISA for the detection of HCV core antigen and by qualitative HCV PCR. RESULTS: Among all of the sequential samples, the original 23 specimens were HCV RNA-negative, and 36 samples were HCV RNA-positive. Twenty-seven samples (75%) were HCV core antigen-positive from these HCV RNA-positive specimens. Conversely, 27 samples (93.2%) were found HCV RNA-positive in HCV core antigen- positive samples. Intervals between HCV RNA and HCV core antigen-positive, as well as between HCV core antigen-positive and HCV antibody-positive were 36.0 and 32.8 d, respectively. CONCLUSION: This HCV core antigen assay, developed in China, is able to detect much of anti-HCV-negative, HCV RNA-positive preseroconversion window period (PWP) plasma donations.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai,No.11ZR1427100
文摘AIM: To investigate whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) could induce a hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg)specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in vitro by dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with lentiviral vector-encoding ubiquitinated hepatitis B virus core antigen (LV-Ub-HBcAg).METHODS: Recombinant LV-Ub-HBcAg were transfected into highly susceptible 293 T cells to obtain high virus titres, Bone marrow-derived DCs isolated from BALB/c mice were cultured with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and recombinant interleukin (IL)-4. LV-Ub-HBcAg, lentiviral vector-encoding hepatitis B virus core antigen (LV-HBcAg), lentiviral vector (LV) or lipopolysaccharide were added to induce DC maturation, and the DC phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The level of IL-12 in the supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T lymphocytes were proliferated using Cell Counting Kit-8. DCs were cultured and induced to mature using different LVs, and co-cultured with allogeneic T cells to detect the secretion levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10and interferon-γ in the supernatants of T cells by ELISA. Intracellular cytokines of proliferative T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and specific CTL activity was measured by a lactate dehydrogenase release assay.RESULTS: LV-Ub-HBcAg-induced DCs secreted more IL-12 and upregulated the expression of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility class ]I, DCs sensitised by different LVs effectively promoted cytokine secretion; the levels of IL-2 and interferon-y induced by LV-Ub- HBcAg were higher than those induced by LV-HBcAg, Compared with LV-HBcAg-transduced DCs, LV-Ub- HBcAg-transduced DCs more efficiently stimulated the proliferation of T lymphocytes and generated HBcAgspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.CONCLUSION: LV-Ub-HBcAg effectively induced DC maturation. The mature DCs efficiently induced T cell polarisation to Thl and generated HBcAg-specific CTLs.
文摘While hepatitis B virus(HBV)screening relies on hepatitis B surface antigen to confirm HBV infection since the early days of hepatitis B disease management,hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection screening is based on anti-HCV testing which does not discriminate active from past infection.Thus to confirm infection HCV RNA testing has been required;recently a HCV core antigen assay became widely commercially available which could serve to confirm infection.That assay is less sensitive than current HCV RNA assays,but as more than 50%of anti-HCV positive persons will be HCV core antigen positive,HCV core antigen testing can be a cost effective and reflex test to confirm HCV infection in anti-HCV positive individuals and will be easier as it can be applied on the same platform.For treatment monitoring,more data need to be generated,but the early data available at present suggest that HCV core antigen may be an alternative to HCV RNA monitoring.With direct antivirals,HCV core antigen could even be superior to HCV RNA testing,as direct antivirals might already prevent virus formation when HCV core antigen is still produced and thereby correlates better with eventual viral clearance.
基金by National Science and Technology Major Project,No.2017ZX10302201,No.2017ZX09304004 and No.2014ZX10002002National Program on Key Basic Research Project(973 Program),No.2015CB554304.
文摘BACKGROUND Quantitative hepatitis B core-related antigen(qHBcrAg)has a better correlation with intrahepatic hepatitis B virus(HBV)covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA)than HBV DNA or hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg),but data are still lacking for its clinical application.AIM The aim was to investigate serum qHBcrAg levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B and assess the correlation of serum qHBcrAg with pregenomic RNA(pgRNA),cccDNA,and HBeAg seroconversion.METHODS This study was a secondary analysis of patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy between July 2014 and June 2019 in two multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials of peginterferon vs nucleos(t)ide analog(NUC)-based therapy(NCT03509688 and NCT03546530).Serum qHBcrAg,pgRNA,HBV DNA,hepatitis B core antigen,HBeAg,liver cccDNA,and HBV DNA were measured.The correlations of serum qHBcrAg with other biomarkers were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 139 patients were included.The mean qHBcrAg levels were 5.32±1.18 log10 U/mL at baseline and decreased during treatment(all P<0.0001).Serum qHBcrAg levels were positively correlated with pgRNA(r=0.597,P<0.0001)and cccDNA(r=0.527,P<0.0001)levels.The correlation of serum qHBcrAg level and intrahepatic HBV DNA levels at baseline was weak but significant(r=0.399,P<0.0001).HBcrAg predicted HBeAg seroconversion,with areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.788 at 24 wk and 0.825 at 48 wk.Log HBcrAg at wk 24 and 48 was independently associated with HBeAg seroconversion[odds ratio(OR)=2.402,95%confidence interval(CI):1.314-4.391,P=0.004;OR=3.587,95%CI:1.315-9.784,P=0.013].CONCLUSION Serum HBcrAg levels were correlated with HBV virological markers and could be used to predict HBeAg seroconversion.
基金Supported by Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology Grants the Major Science and Technology Special Project Fund Scheme,No.2013ZX10005002Beijing the Special Clinical Application Research and Translational Grants,No.Z151100004015221
文摘BACKGROUND Non-invasive evaluation for liver fibrosis is clinically important,especially in patients with undetectable hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA treated with nucleoside analogs.AIM To clarify the monitoring power of hepatitis B core-related antigen(HBcrAg)for hepatic histologic changes in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)treated with entecavir.METHODS This prospective multicenter study used multiple ordinal and multivariate logistics regression analysis to assess variables associated with Ishak fibrosis score and regression for fibrosis regression,respectively,in 403 CHB patients,including 374 with entecavir for 72 weeks(291 underwent paired liver biopsy)and 29 as controls.RESULTS Level of HBcrAg correlated negatively with liver fibrosis staging(γ=-0.357,P<0.001)in hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-positive patients,and positively with liver fibrosis staging in HBeAg-negative patients.Higher HBcrAg concentration was associated with younger age,HBeAg positive status,high HBV DNA loads,high level of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)and higher necroinflammation,but not with HBV genotype.Serum concentration of HBcrAg,basal core promoter/precore(BCP/PC)mutant,quantitation of HBsAg(qHBsAg)and platelet counts were independently associated with Ishak fibrosis score on multiple ordinal regression.HBV DNA was undetectable in 88.37%of patients treated with entecavir at week 72,while their level of HBcrAg was still detectable.A greater reduction in post-treatment HBcrAg concentration was associated with the regression of hepatic fibrosis and histological improvement.HBcrAg concentration>6.33 log IU/mL at baseline and logarithmic reduction>1.03 log IU/mL at week 72 were associated with a higher chance of regression of liver fibrosis and histological improvement,respectively.CONCLUSION HBcrAg level is associated with liver fibrosis progression.HBcrAg is an excellent monitor of hepatic histological changes,especially in CHB patients treated with nucleoside analogs.
基金Supported by Research grant from the Ministry of Health,Labor,and Welfare of Japan
文摘AIM: To investigate the role of pre-core and basal core promoter(BCP) mutations before and after hepatitis Be antigen(HBe Ag) seroconversion.METHODS: The proportion of pre-core(G1896A) and basal core promoter(A1762T and G1764A) mutant viruses and serum levels of hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), and HB core-related antigen were analyzed in chronic hepatitis B patients before and after HBe Ag seroconversion(n = 25), in those who were persistently HBe Ag positive(n = 18), and in those who were persistently anti-HBe positive(n = 43). All patients were infected with HBV genotype C and were followed for a median of 9 years.RESULTS: Although the pre-core mutant became predominant(24% to 65%, P = 0.022) in the HBe Ag seroconversion group during follow-up, the proportion of the basal core promoter mutation did not change. Median HBV viral markers were significantly higher in patients without the mutations in an HBe Ag positive status(HBV DNA: P = 0.003; HBs Ag: P < 0.001; HB core-related antigen: P = 0.001). In contrast, HBV DNA(P = 0.012) and HBs Ag(P = 0.041) levels were significantly higher in patients with the pre-core mutation in an anti-HBe positive status.CONCLUSION: There is an opposite association of the pre-core mutation with viral load before and after HBe Ag seroconversion in patients with HBV infection.
基金Project supported by the grant from Science Foundation of Ministry of Health of China, No. 96-1-347.
文摘INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most commonetiologic agent for infectious liver diseases. It isestimated that there are more than 250 millionchronic HBV carriersin the world today and thereis a significant association among persistentinfection, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellularcarcinoma[1-3].
基金Supported by the 135 Project of Jiangsu Province, No. 044
文摘AIM: To investigate the immunogenidty of a novel DNA vacoine, pSW3891/HBc, based on HBV core gene in Balb/c mice. METHODS: A novel DNA vaccine, pSW3891/HBc, encoding HBV core gene was constructed using a vector plasmid pSW3891. Balb/c mice were immunized with either pSW3891/HBc or empty vector DNA via gene gun. IgG anti-HBc responses in mouse sera were demonstrated by ELISA. Specific cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) of mice was quantitatively measured by lactate dehydrogenase release assay. RESULTS: HBcAg was expressed effectively in 293T cell line transiently transfected with pSW3891/HBc. Strong IgG anti-HBc responses were elicited in mice immunized with pSW3891/HBc. The end-point titers of anti-HBc reached the highest 1:97 200, 4 wk after the third immunization. The specific CTL killing with the highest specific lysis reached 73.25% at effector:target ratio of 20:1 in mice that received pSW3891/HBc DNA vaccine. CONCLUSION: pSW3891/HBc vaccination elicits specific anti-HBc response and induces HBc-specific CTL response in immunized Balb/c mice.
文摘AIM: To study the intrahepatic expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in chronic hepatitis B patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS: A total of 33 chronic hepatitis B patients (mean age of 40.3 ± 2.5 years), comprising of 14 HBeAg positive and 19 HBeAg negative patients; and 13 patients with hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma (mean age of 49.6 ± 4.7 years), were included in our study. Immunohistochemical staining for HBcAg and HBsAg was done using standard streptavidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase technique on paraffin-embedded liver biopsies. The HBcAg and HBsAg staining distributions and patterns were described according to a modified classification system.RESULTS: Compared to the HBeAg negative patients, the HBeAg positive patients were younger, had higher mean HBV DNA and alanine transaminases levels. All the HBeAg positive patients had intrahepatic HBcAg staining; predominantly with “diffuse” distribution (79%) and “mixed cytoplasmic/nuclear” pattern (79%). In comparison, only 5% of the HBeAg-negative patients had intrahepatic HBcAg staining. However, the intrahepatic HBsAg staining has wider distribution among the HBeAg negative patients, namely; majority of the HBeAg negative cases had “patchy” HBsAg distribution compared to “rare” distribution among the HBeAg positive cases. All but one patient with HCC were HBeAg negative with either undetectable HBV DNA or very low level of viremia. Intrahepatic HBcAg and HBsAg were seen in 13 (100%) and 10 (77%) of the HCC patients respectively. Interestingly, among the 9 HCC patients on anti-viral therapy with suppressed HBV DNA, HBcAg and HBsAg were detected in tumor tissues but not the adjacent liver in 4 (44%) and 1 (11%) patient respectively.CONCLUSION: Isolated intrahepatic HBcAg and HBsAg can be present in tumors of patients with suppressed HBV DNA on antiviral therapy; that may predispose them to cancer development.
文摘BACKGROUND Current diagnosis of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection requires two sequential steps:testing for anti-HCV followed by HCV RNA PCR to confirm viremia.We have developed a highly sensitive and specific HCV-antigens enzyme immunoassay(HCV-Ags EIA)for one-step diagnosis of viremic HCV infection.AIM To assess the clinical application of the HCV-Ags EIA in one-step diagnosis of viremic HCV infection in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-coinfected individuals.METHODS The study blindly tested HCV-Ags EIA for its performance in one-step diagnosing viremic HCV infection in 147 sera:10 without HCV or HIV infection;54 with viremic HCV monoinfection;38 with viremic HCV/HIV coinfection;and 45 with viremic HCV and non-viremic HIV coinfection.RESULTS Upon decoding,it was 100%accordance of HCV-Ags EIA to HCV infection status by HCV RNA PCR test.In five sera with HCV infection,HCV RNA was as low as 50-59 IU/mL,and four out of five tested positive for HCV-Ags EIA.Likewise,it was also 100%accordance of HCV-Ags EIA to HCV infection status by HCV RNA PCR in 83 sera with HCV and HIV coinfection,regardless if HIV infection was active or not.CONCLUSION The modified HCV-Ags EIA has a lower detection limit equivalent to serum HCV RNA levels of approximately 100 IU/mL.It is highly sensitive and specific in the setting of HIV coinfection,regardless of HIV infection status and CD4 count.These data support the clinical application of the HCV-Ags EIA in one-step diagnosis of HCV infection in HIV-infected individuals.
文摘AIM: To elucidate the biological function of HBV core antigen (HBcAg) on pathogenesis of hepatitis B, a novel gene C12 coding for protein with unknown function interacting with HBcAg in hepatocytes was identified and characterized. METHODS: HBcAg bait plasmid pGBKT7-HBcAg was constructed and transformed into yeast AH109, then the transformed yeast was mated with yeast Y187 containing liver complementary DNA (cDNA) library plasmid in 2xYPDA medium. Diploid yeast was plated on synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) and synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) containing X-α-gal for screening twice. After extracting and sequencing of plasmid from blue colonies, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel protein designated as C12 that directly interacted with HBcAg. The interaction between HBcAg and C12 was verified again by re-mating. pEGFP-N1-C12 fluorescent protein fusion gene was transfected in 293 and L02 cell, and observed by fluorescent microscope. M-FI reduction assay was used to study the action of C12 protein effect on metabolism of mammal cell. Yeast two-hybrid and cDNA microarray were performed to search binding protein and differential expression genes regulated by C12 protein. RESULTS: C12 gene was screened and identified by yeast two-hybrid system 3. The interaction between HBcAg and the novel protein coded by the new gene C12 was further confirmed by re-mating. After 48 h, fluorescence of fusion protein could be observed steadily in the 293 and L02 cell plasma. Under MTT assay, we found that the expression of C12 did not influence the growth of liver cells. Seventeen differential expression genes in HepG2 cells transfected with C12 protein expression plasmid by cDNA microarray, of which 16 genes were upregulated and 1 gene was downregulated by C12 protein. Twenty-one colonies containing 16 different genes coding for C12 protein binding proteins were isolated by yeast two-hybrid, there were 2 new genes with unknown function. CONCLUSION: The novel protein C12 is located in cell plasma, and its overexpression has no significant effect on the metabolism of liver cell. It interacts with many proteins in hepatocytes and may be involved in many processes of gene expression. 2005 The W.IG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
文摘目的探讨乙肝感染不同阶段的乙肝核心相关抗原(hepatitis B core-related antigen,HBcrAg)水平及HBcrAg联合AFP、异常凝血酶原(protein induced by vitamin K absence-Ⅱ,PIVKA-Ⅱ)对乙肝相关肝癌的诊断价值。方法选取2019年10月至2021年3月首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院的HBsAg阳性患者562例,根据临床诊断分为慢乙肝组(173例)、肝硬化组(218例)、肝癌组(54例)和肝癌术后组(117例);分别以HBsAg 3.0 Log IU/ml,HBcrAg 4.0 Log U/ml为界将所有患者分为4组,其中低HBsAg低HBcrAg组(142例)、低HBsAg高HBcrAg组(124例)、高HBsAg低HBcrAg组(31例)和高HBsAg高HBcrAg组(113例)。比较各组HBcrAg、AFP、PIVKA-Ⅱ等血清学标志物水平,采用ROC曲线评估HBcrAg、AFP和PIVKA-Ⅱ对乙肝相关肝癌的诊断价值。结果562例患者中,男403例,女159例;年龄7~81岁,中位年龄51.0岁。临床诊断各组HBcrAg、AFP、PIVKA-Ⅱ等指标的比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);低HBsAg高HBcrAg组肝癌患病比例为12.1%(15/124),高于其他组(P<0.05)。HBcrAg、AFP和PIVKA-Ⅱ诊断HCC的ROC曲线的AUC分别为0.544(95%CI:0.473~0.613,P<0.05)、0.774(95%CI:0.712~0.829,P<0.05)和0.847(95%CI:0.790~0.893,P<0.05),灵敏度分别为53.1%、66.7%和76.7%,特异性分别为61.7%、86.0%和87.3%;三者联合诊断HCC的ROC曲线的AUC为0.795(95%CI:0.697~0.893,P<0.05),灵敏度为83.0%,特异性为67.0%。结论肝癌组HBcrAg高于慢乙肝组、肝硬化组和肝癌术后组。在核苷类似物治疗情况下,HBcrAg单一指标不能很好地对肝癌进行预测,HBcrAg联合AFP、PIVKA-Ⅱ可提高肝癌诊断的灵敏度。