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Wang H, Yin YP, Wang ZL, Qian Y, Fan YC, Liu HH, Wang K. Hypermethylation of thymosin β4 predicts a poor prognosis for patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022:S1499-3872(22)00191-6. [PMID: 36041971 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been demonstrated that thymosin β4 (Tβ4) could inflect the severity of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF), but the relationship between its methylation status and the prognosis of liver failure is not clear. This study aimed to determine Tβ4 promoter methylation status in patients with ACHBLF and to evaluate its prognostic value. METHODS The study recruited 115 patients with ACHBLF, 80 with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B pre-liver failure (pre-ACHBLF), and 86 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In addition, there were 36 healthy controls (HCs) from the Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. The 115 patients with ACHBLF were divided into three subgroups: 33 with early stage ACHBLF (E-ACHBLF), 42 with mid-stage ACHBLF (M-ACHBLF), and 40 with advanced stage ACHBLF (A-ACHBLF). Tβ4 promoter methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Methylation frequency of Tβ4 was significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than in those with pre-ACHBLF, CHB or HC. However, expression of Tβ4 mRNA showed the opposite trend. In patients with ACHBLF, Tβ4 promoter methylation status correlated negatively with mRNA levels. The 3-month mortality of ACHBLF in the methylated group was significantly higher than that in the unmethylated group. Also, Tβ4 promoter methylation frequency was lower in survivors than in non-survivors. When used to predict the 1-, 2-, and 3-month incidence of ACHBLF, Tβ4 methylation status was better than the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. The predictive value of Tβ4 methylation was higher than that of MELD score for the mortality of patients with E-ACHBLF and M-ACHBLF, but not for A-ACHBLF. CONCLUSIONS Tβ4 methylation might be an important early marker for predicting disease incidence and prognosis in patients with ACHBLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Department of Hepatology, Qingdao Sixth People's Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yan-Ping Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai 264000, China
| | - Zhen-Li Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hui-Hui Liu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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Wang H, Qian Y, Wang JW, Fang Y, Fan YC, Liu HH, Wang K. Hypomethylation of thymosin β4 promoter is associated with glucocorticoid therapy in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B-induced liver failure. Int Health 2022; 15:19-29. [PMID: 35150577 PMCID: PMC9808517 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to determine whether the methylation status of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) promoter reflects the severity of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) and whether glucocorticoids affect this status. METHODS Fifty-six patients with ACHBLF, 45 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 32 healthy controls (HCs), were retrospectively enrolled. Methylation-specific PCR and real-time PCR were used to detect Tβ4 methylation frequency and mRNA level. The expression of Tβ4 was measured before and after glucocorticoid treatment in patients with ACHBLF. Clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained. RESULTS Tβ4 mRNA expression of patients with ACHBLF was lower than in patients with CHB or HCs, but the methylation frequency was higher. Tβ4 promoter methylation frequency was correlated with serum total bilirubin, prothrombin activity and model for end-stage liver disease score. Moreover, Tβ4 promoter methylation frequency decreased and demethylation occurred during glucocorticoid therapy. After glucocorticoid therapy, Tβ4 mRNA expression and liver function were better in patients with low levels of methylation than in those with higher levels. After 90 d, the survival of patients with low levels of methylation was significantly higher than those with high levels. CONCLUSIONS Patients with ACHBLF who have low levels of Tβ4 methylation may show a more favorable response to glucocorticoid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China,Department of Hepatology, Qingdao Sixth People's Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jing-Wen Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hui-Hui Liu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Corresponding author: Tel: +86-531-82169593; Fax: +86-531-86927544; E-mail: ;
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Suliman I, Abdelgelil N, Kassamali F, Hassanein TI. The Effects of Hepatic Steatosis on the Natural History of HBV Infection. Clin Liver Dis 2019; 23:433-450. [PMID: 31266618 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Fatty liver prevalence is increasing and becoming a global health burden. Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is one of the most common chronic viral infections. Steatosis in CHB patients increases risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Data from studies on the interaction between CHB and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are not conclusive. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of fatty liver; however, noninvasive diagnostic tests have been developed to diagnose and predict fibrosis in CHB/NAFLD. Treatment guidelines are not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idrees Suliman
- Blake Medical Center Internal Medicine, 2020 59th St W, Bradenton, FL 34209, USA
| | - Noha Abdelgelil
- Southern California Research Center, 131 Orange Avenue, Suite 101, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
| | - Farah Kassamali
- St. Mary's Medical Center, 450 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
| | - Tarek I Hassanein
- Southern California Liver Centers, 131 Orange Avenue, Suite 101, Coronado, CA 92118, USA.
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Li DL, Chang XJ, Xie XL, Zheng SC, Zhang QX, Jia SA, Wang KJ, Liu HP. A thymosin repeated protein1 reduces white spot syndrome virus replication in red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 84:109-116. [PMID: 29428488 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The β-thymosins are a group of structurally related, highly conserved intracellular small peptides in vertebrates with various biological functions, including cytoskeletal remodeling, neuronal development, cell migration, cell survival, tissue repair and inhibition of inflammation. In contrast to vertebrates, the function of β-thymosin is not fully understood in crustaceans. Previously, we found that a thymosin-repeated protein1 (CqTRP1) gene was up-regulated after white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge in hematopoietic tissue (Hpt) cells from the red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus. To further identify the effect of CqTRP1 on WSSV infection, a full length cDNA sequence of β-thymosin homologue was cloned and analyzed from red claw crayfish followed by functional study. The CqTRP1 cDNA contains an open reading frame of 387 nucleotides encoding a protein of 129 amino acids with a putative molecular mass of 14.3 kDa. The amino acid sequence showed high identity with other β-thymosins and contained three characteristic thymosin β actin-binding motifs, suggesting that CqTRP1 was a member of the β-thymosin family. Tissue distribution analysis revealed a ubiquitous presence of CqTRP1 in all the examined tissues with the highest expression in hemocytes, Hpt and gonad at the transcriptional level. Interestingly, the gene silencing of endogenous CqTRP1 by RNAi enhanced the WSSV replication in Hpt cells. Meanwhile, the WSSV replication was significantly reduced in the Hpt cell cultures if overloaded with a recombinant CqTRP1. Taken together, these data clearly indicated that CqTRP1 was likely to be associated with the anti-WSSV response in a crustacean C. quadricarinatus, which provides new strategy against white spot disease in crustacean aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Xue-Jiao Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Xiao-Lu Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Shu-Cheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Qiu-Xia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Shu-Ao Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Hai-Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine Biological Resources, State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China.
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Jiang Y, Han T, Zhang ZG, Li M, Qi FX, Zhang Y, Ji YL. Potential role of thymosin beta 4 in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Chronic Dis Transl Med 2017; 3:165-168. [PMID: 29063072 PMCID: PMC5643779 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdtm.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As a result of increased prevalence of obesity worldwide, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. Although most NAFLD cases remain benign, some progress to end-stage liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, treatment should be considered for NAFLD patients who are likely to progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fibrosis. Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a G-actin sequestering peptide, regulates actin polymerization in mammalian cells. In addition, studies have reported anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, and anti-fibrotic effects of Tβ4. However, no research has been done to investigate the effects of Tβ4 on NAFLD. Based on the findings above mentioned, we hypothesize that Tβ4 may represent an effective treatment for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China.,Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Tianjin Third Central Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Tao Han
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Tianjin Third Central Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhi-Guang Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Feng-Xiang Qi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Ying-Lan Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
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