Up-regulate HLA class I expression following hepatitis B virus transfection in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL7405

Liver Gene Expression Profiles Correlate with Virus Infection and Response to Interferon Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

The natural course of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection and treatment response are determined mainly by the genomic characteristics of the individual. We investigated liver gene expression profiles to reveal the molecular basis associated with chronic hepatitis B and IFN-alpha (IFNα) treatment response in CHB patients. Expression profiles were compared between seven paired liver biopsy samples taken before and 6 months after successful IFNα treatment or between pretreatment biopsy samples of 11 IFNα responders and 11 non-responders. A total of 132 differentially up-regulated and 39 down-regulated genes were identified in the pretreated livers of CHB patients. The up-regulated genes were mainly related to cell proliferation and immune response, with IFNγ and B cell signatures significantly enriched. Lower intrahepatic HBV pregenomic RNA levels and 25 predictive genes were identified in IFNα responders. The predictive gene set in responders significantly overlapped with the up-regulated genes associated with the pretreated livers of CHB patients. The mechanisms responsible for IFNα treatment responses are different between HBV and HCV patients. HBV infection evokes significant immune responses even in chronic infection. The up-regulated genes are predictive of responsiveness to IFNα therapy, as are lower intrahepatic levels of HBV pregenomic RNA and pre-activated host immune responses.

Changes in the proportions of CD4(+)T cell subsets defined by CD127 and CD25 expression during HBV infection

CD4(+)T cell counts are closely related to the progression of HBV infection. Here, we investigated how the proportions of three CD4(+)T cell subsets - CD127(-)CD25(-), CD127(+)CD25(low/-) and CD127(low)CD25(high) - changed during HBV infection, as is little known. Compared with healthy controls, the proportions of CD127(-)CD25(-) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and HBV carriers significantly increased, while that of CD127(+)CD25(low/-) significantly decreased. The proportion of CD127(low)CD25(high) in CHB patients was significantly higher than those in HBV carriers or healthy controls. Compared with HBV-DNA negative group, the proportion of CD127(-)CD25(-) in positive group significantly decreased and that of CD127(+)CD25(low/-) significantly increased. In the follow-up study for CHB patients treated with interferon-α2b for 12 weeks or 24 weeks, the proportions of CD127(-)CD25(-) significantly decreased, while that of CD127(low/-)CD25(high) significantly increased. The results suggested that specific changes in the fraction of CD4(+)T cell subsets expressing CD127 and/or CD25 were associated with hepatitis B progression.