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Wang CR, Liu XQ, Shen W, Zhong GC, Li H, Tang Q, Liu YX, Hu P. Profiles of HBcrAg and pgRNA in Pregnant Women With Chronic HBV Under Different Disease Phases and Antiviral Prophylaxis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae241. [PMID: 38756766 PMCID: PMC11097205 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) exhibit unique clinical features in terms of postpartum immune system reconstitution and recovery from pregnancy-related changes. However, current studies focus primarily on the outcomes of maternal-infant transmission and postpartum hepatitis flares. We aimed to evaluate the profiles of hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) in pregnant women with CHB. Methods This retrospective analysis included treatment-naïve pregnant women with CHB who were followed up regularly in an outpatient clinic from 2014 to 2021. Baseline HBcrAg and pgRNA levels were compared in patients with different disease phases. Changes in these parameters were examined in a subset of patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis. HBcrAg and pgRNA levels were measured before treatment, at 32 weeks of gestation, and postpartum. Results The final analysis included a total of 121 patients, 100 of whom were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive (96 and 4 in the immune-tolerant and -indeterminate phases, respectively) and 21 of whom were HBeAg-negative (6 and 15 in the immune-active and -inactive carrier phases, respectively). The HBeAg-negative group vs the HBeAg-positive group had lower levels of baseline HBcrAg (median [interquartile range {IQR}], 3.7 [3.0-5.9] vs 8.6 [8.4-8.7] log10 U/mL; P < .01) and pgRNA (median [IQR], 0.0 [0.0-2.5] vs 7.8 [7.6-8.1] log10 copies/mL; P < .01). The serum levels of HBcrAg and pgRNA were highest in immune-tolerant carriers and lowest in immune-inactive carriers. In HBeAg-positive patients, the correlation coefficients of HBcrAg and pgRNA with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were 0.40 and 0.43, respectively; in HBeAg-negative patients, they were 0.53 and 0.51, respectively (all P < .05). The correlation coefficients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were 0.55 and 0.52 (P < .05) in HBeAg-positive patients, respectively, while in HBeAg-negative patients they were 0.42 and 0.37, respectively (P > .05). Among 96 patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis, we detected a rapid decrease in HBV DNA to an undetectable level during treatment but relatively stable levels of pgRNA and HBcrAg. Conclusions HBcrAg and pgRNA levels are lower in HBeAg-negative patients than in HBeAg-positive patients. These 2 markers are significantly associated with HBV DNA irrespective of HBeAg status, while they are significantly associated with HBsAg only in HBeAg-positive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Rui Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-qin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Guo-Chao Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiao Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Xing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
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Inoue T, Watanabe T, Tanaka Y. Hepatitis B core-related antigen: A novel and promising surrogate biomarker to guide anti-hepatitis B virus therapy. Clin Mol Hepatol 2023; 29:851-868. [PMID: 36891607 PMCID: PMC10577333 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The current requirement for biomarkers to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is polarized. One is a fully-automated and highly sensitive measurement system; the other is a simple system for point-of-care testing (POCT) in resource-limited areas. Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) reflects intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA and serum HBV DNA. Even in patients with undetectable serum HBV DNA or HBsAg loss, HBcrAg may remain detectable. Decreased HBcrAg levels are associated with reduction of the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B. Recently, a fully-automated, novel high-sensitivity HBcrAg assay (iTACT-HBcrAg, cut-off value: 2.1 logIU/mL) has been developed. This attractive assay has been released in Japan very recently. iTACT-HBcrAg can be useful for monitoring HBV reactivation and prediction of HCC occurrence, as an alternative to HBV DNA. Moreover, monitoring HBcrAg may be suitable for determining the therapeutic effectiveness of approved drugs and novel drugs under development. Presently, international guidelines recommend anti-HBV prophylaxis for pregnant women with high viral loads to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HBV. However, >95% of HBV-infected individuals live in countries where HBV DNA quantification is not available. Worldwide elimination of HBV needs the scaling-up of examination and medication services in resource-limited areas. Based on this situation, a rapid and easy HBcrAg assay as a POCT is valuable. This review provides the latest information regarding the clinical use of a new surrogate marker, HBcrAg, in HBV management, based on iTACT-HBcrAg or POCT, and introduces novel agents targeting HBV RNA/protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Inoue
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Virology & Liver unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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Lou B, Liu Y, Shi M, Chen J, Li K, Tan Y, Chen L, Wu Y, Wang T, Liu X, Jiang T, Peng D, Liu Z. Aptamer-based biosensors for virus protein detection. Trends Analyt Chem 2022; 157:116738. [PMID: 35874498 PMCID: PMC9293409 DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Virus threatens life health seriously. The accurate early diagnosis of the virus is vital for clinical control and treatment of virus infection. Aptamers are small single-stranded oligonucleotides (DNAs or RNAs). In this review, we summarized aptasensors for virus detection in recent years according to the classification of the viral target protein, and illustrated common detection mechanisms in the aptasensors (colorimetry, fluorescence assay, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS), electrochemical detection, and field-effect transistor (FET)). Furthermore, aptamers against different target proteins of viruses were summarized. The relationships between the different biomarkers of the viruses and the detection methods, and their performances were revealed. In addition, the challenges and future directions of aptasensors were discussed. This review will provide valuable references for constructing on-site aptasensors for detecting viruses, especially the SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Lou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Meilin Shi
- School of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yifu Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Liwei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yuwei Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Dongming Peng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, PR China
| | - Zhenbao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, PR China.,Molecular Imaging Research Center of Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China
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Kramvis A, Chang KM, Dandri M, Farci P, Glebe D, Hu J, Janssen HLA, Lau DTY, Penicaud C, Pollicino T, Testoni B, Van Bömmel F, Andrisani O, Beumont-Mauviel M, Block TM, Chan HLY, Cloherty GA, Delaney WE, Geretti AM, Gehring A, Jackson K, Lenz O, Maini MK, Miller V, Protzer U, Yang JC, Yuen MF, Zoulim F, Revill PA. A roadmap for serum biomarkers for hepatitis B virus: current status and future outlook. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:727-745. [PMID: 35859026 PMCID: PMC9298709 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Globally, 296 million people are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and approximately one million people die annually from HBV-related causes, including liver cancer. Although there is a preventative vaccine and antiviral therapies suppressing HBV replication, there is no cure. Intensive efforts are under way to develop curative HBV therapies. Currently, only a few biomarkers are available for monitoring or predicting HBV disease progression and treatment response. As new therapies become available, new biomarkers to monitor viral and host responses are urgently needed. In October 2020, the International Coalition to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus (ICE-HBV) held a virtual and interactive workshop on HBV biomarkers endorsed by the International HBV Meeting. Various stakeholders from academia, clinical practice and the pharmaceutical industry, with complementary expertise, presented and participated in panel discussions. The clinical utility of both classic and emerging viral and immunological serum biomarkers with respect to the course of infection, disease progression, and response to current and emerging treatments was appraised. The latest advances were discussed, and knowledge gaps in understanding and interpretation of HBV biomarkers were identified. This Roadmap summarizes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of HBV biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maura Dandri
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems partner site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patrizia Farci
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dieter Glebe
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Daryl T Y Lau
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Capucine Penicaud
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Teresa Pollicino
- Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital "G. Martino" of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - Florian Van Bömmel
- Department of Hepatology, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ourania Andrisani
- Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Henry L Y Chan
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- Union Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | | | | | - Anna Maria Geretti
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione PTV, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adam Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kathy Jackson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mala K Maini
- Division of Infection & Immunity, Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Veronica Miller
- Forum for Collaborative Research, University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, Washington DC Campus, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM Unit 1052 - Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Peter A Revill
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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5
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Deng R, Liu S, Shen S, Guo H, Sun J. Circulating HBV RNA: From biology to clinical applications. Hepatology 2022; 76:1520-1530. [PMID: 35342969 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic HBV infection can hardly be cured due to the persistence of an intrahepatic pool of viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcription template, which is refractory to current antivirals. The direct analyses of cccDNA quantity and transcriptional activity require an invasive biopsy. Recently, circulating HBV RNA has been identified as a promising noninvasive surrogate marker of cccDNA and can be used for monitoring disease progression and predicting prognosis of patients with chronic HBV infection. To better understand this surrogate biomarker of cccDNA, we reviewed the current knowledge about the molecular characteristics and potential clinical applications of circulating HBV RNA. Specifically, we summarized the reported species and existing forms of circulating HBV RNA and discussed their biogenesis and the capacity of de novo infection by RNA virions. Moreover, we described the potential applications of circulating HBV RNA in different clinical scenarios, such as classifying the phases of chronic HBV infection, analyzing sustained on-treatment and off-treatment outcomes of treated patients, as well as predicting HCC development. Perspectives on future research of circulating HBV RNA were also proposed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Cheng DY, Zhao ZM, Wan G, Zheng HW, Huang JQ, Liu CH, Xing HC. Impact of Fuzheng Huayu tablet on antiviral effect of entecavir in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 21:479-484. [PMID: 35346577 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fuzheng Huayu tablet is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for the treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, whether the combination with Fuzheng Huayu tablet could affect the antiviral efficacy of nucleos(t)ide remains a concern. The objective of this trial was to explore the impact of Fuzheng Huayu tablet on antiviral effect of entecavir in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis. METHODS A prospective, randomized control trial was conducted. Patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis were randomly divided into the treatment group (entecavir capsule plus Fuzheng Huayu tablet) and the control group (entecavir capsule plus simulant of Fuzheng Huayu), and followed up for 48 weeks. The dynamic changes of HBV DNA load, the rate of serological conversion of HBeAg, liver function, renal function and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were monitored. The general clinical data and adverse events were also recorded. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the rate of virological response and cumulative virological response between the treatment group and the control group (P > 0.05). After 48 weeks of treatment, the HBeAg seroconversion rate, biochemical response rate and LSM value were 21.05% and 4.76% (P = 0.164), 86.96% and 65.96% (P = 0.017), 9.5 kpa and 10.6 kpa (P = 0.827) in the treatment group and the control group, respectively. No serious adverse events related to the study therapy occurred during the trial. CONCLUSIONS The antiviral entecavir combined with Fuzheng Huayu tablet did not affect the antiviral efficacy of entecavir, but could improve the rate of biochemical response, and had a tendency to improve the rate of serological conversion of HBeAg and liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis. Fuzheng Huayu tablet is clinically safe for patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Ying Cheng
- Center of Liver Diseases Division 3, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China; Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhao
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Gang Wan
- Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100000, China; Statistics Department, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Huan-Wei Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang 050021, China
| | - Jia-Quan Huang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Cheng-Hai Liu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Hui-Chun Xing
- Center of Liver Diseases Division 3, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China; Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100000, China.
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Laras A, Papatheodoridi M, Panopoulou E, Papatheodoridis GV, Hadziyannis SJ, Hadziyannis E. Serum hepatitis B virus RNA detectability, composition and clinical significance in patients with ab initio hepatitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis B. Virol J 2022; 19:22. [PMID: 35093105 PMCID: PMC8800272 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01749-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA is a surrogate biomarker for intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcriptional activity and persistence. In this retrospective study, we investigated its presence, levels and composition in ab initio Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative chronically infected patients and examined possible associations with disease activity and the outcome of nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) discontinuation. Methods We developed a sensitive real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the specific detection of HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and precore (preC) mRNA and analyzed 220 serum specimens, 160 under NA treatment, from 116 Greek patients initially negative for HBeAg. Results HBV pgRNA was detected in 31% and preC mRNA in 15% of samples, at lower levels representing a small fraction (3.4%) of total core promoter produced transcripts. In the absence of NAs, pgRNA was detected in 57% of samples with median value of 5.19 (2.61–8.35) log10 cp/mL, at lower levels than HBV DNA and correlated significantly with ALT (r = 0.764) and serum HBV DNA (r = 0.906). A wide range of HBV DNA/pgRNA ratio was observed with significant inter- and intra-patient variation. During NA treatment, pgRNA displayed low detectability (22%) and variable levels, median 3.97 (2.30– 8.13) log10 cp/mL, as well as, a significant inverse correlation with the duration of treatment (r = − 0.346, p < 0.01). In 74 events of NA discontinuation, end-of-treatment pgRNA-positive compared to pgRNA-negative cases, experienced more frequently virological (p = 0.016) and clinical (p = 0.011) relapse. Conclusions In genotype D ab initio HBeAg negative patients, serum HBV RNA is primarily composed of pgRNA plus a minor fraction of preC mRNA transcripts. Serum pgRNA is associated with disease activity, suggesting lysis of infected hepatocytes as a possible source of serum HBV RNA in untreated patients and in the early phase of NA treatment. During long term NA treatment, detectable serum pgRNA predicts viral rebound and clinical relapse following treatment discontinuation and may thus serve as a marker for the decision of cessation of therapy.
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Wang CR, Zhong GC, Chen ZW, Hu P. A Nomogram for Predicting Non-Rebound in HBV-Infected Pregnant Women With Mother-to-Child Transmission Prevention. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:746759. [PMID: 34805216 PMCID: PMC8596549 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.746759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Current guidelines recommend that pregnancies with mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) prevention can cease antiviral treatment after delivery. We aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting non-rebound in HBV-infected pregnant women with MTCT prevention after post-partum nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) withdrawal based on parameters before treatment cessation. Methods: Pregnant women receiving antiviral therapy for MTCT prevention and who withdrew from taking NAs after delivery were included in this study. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistics and a two-way stepwise regression to select prognostic factors for the risk model, and the concordance index (C-index) was used to assess its discrimination. Internal validation was performed through bootstrapping. Results: Of 92 included patients, 16 and 76 experienced non-rebound and virologic rebound within 48 weeks of post-partum NAs cessation, respectively. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at 34 ± 2 weeks of gestation, a reduction in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from baseline to 34 ± 2 weeks of gestation, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA declining from baseline to the end of treatment (EOT) were entered into the final risk model. Its C-index was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82–0.99), and it reached as high as 0.88 after bootstrapping validation. The decision curve and decision tree were further developed to facilitate the application of this model. Conclusions: We developed a nomogram for predicting non-rebound in pregnant women with MTCT prevention after the withdrawal of antiviral agents, which facilitates physicians in making appropriate treatment recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Rui Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guo-Chao Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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9
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Chi XM, Wang XM, Wang ZF, Wu RH, Gao XZ, Xu HQ, Ding YH, Niu JQ. Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen as a surrogate marker of hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:6927-6938. [PMID: 34790015 PMCID: PMC8567480 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i40.6927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Mei Chi
- Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Zhong-Feng Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Rui-Hong Wu
- Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiu-Zhu Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Hong-Qin Xu
- Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yan-Hua Ding
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jun-Qi Niu
- Department of Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
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10
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Chen Y, Li S, Wei Y, Xu Z, Wu X. Circ-RNF13, as an oncogene, regulates malignant progression of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma cells and HBV infection through ceRNA pathway of circ-RNF13/miR-424-5p/TGIF2. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2021; 21:555-568. [PMID: 33714261 PMCID: PMC8381212 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2020.5266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNA RNF13 (circ-RNF13; ID: hsa_circ_0067717) is newly identified to be abnormally upregulated in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, its role and mechanism remain to be further annotated. First of all, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to examine RNA expression, and circ-RNF13 was upregulated in HBV-infected human HCC tissues and HBV-expressing cells (Huh7-HBV and Hep3B-HBV), accompanied with TGFβ-induced factor homeobox 2 (TGIF2) upregulation and microRNA (miR)-424-5p downregulation. Loss-of-functional experiments were performed using MTS assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, transwell assay, and xenograft tumor model. As a result, blocking circ-RNF13 enhanced the apoptosis rate of Huh7-HBV and Hep3B-HBV cells, but inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in vitro, along with suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Besides, RT-qPCR data showed that HBV DNA copies and levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were diminished by circ-RNF13 knockdown in Huh7-HBV and Hep3B-HBV cells. Mechanistically, circ-RNF13 and TGIF2 could directly interacting with miR-424-5p according to dual-luciferase reporter assay, suggesting that circ-RNF13 and TGIF2 served as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) for miR-424-5p. Functionally, overexpressing miR-424-5p mimicked and silencing miR-424-5p counteracted the effects of circ-RNF13 depletion in HBV-expressing HCC cells in vitro; TGIF2 restoration partially abrogated the role of miR-424-5p upregulation. In conclusion, circ-RNF13 might sponge miR-424-5p to suppress HBV-associated HCC cells malignant progression and HBV infection by regulating TGIF2, providing a novel insight into the occurrence and treatment of HBV-associated HCC.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Disease Progression
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Hepatitis B virus
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/metabolism
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/complications
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Oncogenes
- RNA, Circular
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, People’s Hospital of Hanchuan, Hanchuan, Hubei, China
| | - Shuhua Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, People’s Hospital of Hanchuan, Hanchuan, Hubei, China
| | - Yinbin Wei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, People’s Hospital of Hanchuan, Hanchuan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, People’s Hospital of Hanchuan, Hanchuan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiongfei Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, People’s Hospital of Hanchuan, Hanchuan, Hubei, China
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11
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Matsuda S, Maekawa S, Komiyama Y, Nakakuki N, Muraoka M, Suzuki Y, Sato M, Tatsumi A, Miura M, Amemiya F, Shindo H, Takano S, Fukasawa M, Yamaguchi T, Nakayama Y, Inoue T, Sato T, Yamashita A, Moriishi K, Enomoto N. Deep sequencing analysis of serum hepatitis B virus-RNA during nucleot(s)ide analogue therapy. Hepatol Res 2021; 51:39-50. [PMID: 32961003 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Recently, serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)-RNA has been reported to be detectable even when HBV particle production is inhibited by nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs). However, the dynamics of the HBV-RNA sequence compared with those of HBV-DNA during the emergence of antiviral resistance are yet to be elucidated. METHODS First, we quantified serum HBV-RNA in 181 infected patients, and its relationships with clinical characteristics as well as HBV markers were investigated. Next, we undertook simultaneous deep sequencing of HBV-RNA/HBV-DNA and their dynamics among four patients receiving NA therapy who were experiencing viral breakthrough. RESULTS Serum HBV-RNA was detected in 25% (31/123) of cases among patients with HBV without NAs, and the detection rate was significantly high in hepatitis B e antigen-positive cases with high viral activity. In patients with chronic hepatitis, hepatitis B core-related antigen was significantly correlated with serum HBV-RNA irrespective of NA use. In the analysis of the four patients experiencing viral breakthrough, no NA resistance mutation was detected in the serum HBV-RNA immediately before the breakthrough. However, NA-resistant sequences appeared at the rates of 0%, 3%, 14%, and 100%, and the NA-resistant HBV-RNA sequence rate was correlated with the peak HBV-DNA titer multiplied by the HBV-DNA detection duration during the breakthrough (R2 = 0.978) observed before redisappearance of HBV-DNA following the addition of new NA. CONCLUSION Serum HBV-RNA could reflect the transcriptional activity of covalently closed circular DNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen. The dynamics of HBV-RNA could help understanding of the turnover process of HBV covalently closed circular DNA in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Matsuda
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Shinya Maekawa
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Komiyama
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Natsuko Nakakuki
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Masaru Muraoka
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Suzuki
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki Sato
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Akihisa Tatsumi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Mika Miura
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Fumitake Amemiya
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hiroko Shindo
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Shinichi Takano
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Mitsuharu Fukasawa
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamaguchi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakayama
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Taisuke Inoue
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tadashi Sato
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Atsuya Yamashita
- Department of Microbiology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kohji Moriishi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Enomoto
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
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12
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Li M, Liu H, Gong H, Li S, Xiang X, Ge J, Wang J, Mao Q. Clinical implications of serum hepatitis B virus RNA quantitation in untreated chronic hepatitis B virus-infected patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2021; 14:140-149. [PMID: 33532032 PMCID: PMC7847497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA quantitation may be useful for managing untreated chronic HBV-infected patients, but its distribution characteristics and relationship to HBV DNA are unclear. A retrospective cohort including 149 untreated HBV-infected patients was divided into four clinical phenotypes: hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) positive with normal alanine transaminase (ALT; EPNA) or with elevated ALT (EPEA), HBeAg-negative with normal ALT (ENNA) or with elevated ALT (ENEA). Serum HBV RNA levels were quantified by a high-sensitivity real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method and liver biopsy was performed in those with undetectable serum HBV DNA or RNA. The detectable serum HBV RNA levels (log10 copies/mL) in EPNA, EPEA, ENNA, and ENEA were 6.02±1.48, 6.54±1.27, 2.51±0.78 and 3.54±1.25, respectively. The low level (< 2.0 log10 copies/mL) comprised mainly of ENNA phenotype (76.9%), while the high level (> 6.0 log10 copies/mL) was HBeAg-positive patients (98.1%). Serum HBV RNA level were significantly correlated with serum HBV DNA and HBsAg in HBeAg-positive phenotypes, but a correlation only with HBV DNA was observed in ENEA patients. Serum HBV DNA and RNA were both independent risk factors associated with elevated ALT in HBeAg-negative patients. Seven serum HBV DNA-undetectable but RNA-detectable patients underwent liver biopsy, showing moderate or severe liver inflammation. Varying serum HBV RNA levels can reflect natural disease phases in untreated HBV-infected patients, indicating that this biomarker could reflect liver inflammation in untreated HBeAg-negative patients as successfully as serum HBV DNA. Serum HBV RNA can complement clinical management strategies when serum HBV DNA is undetectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoshi Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Research of Infectious DiseasesChongqing 400038, China
| | - Huimin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Research of Infectious DiseasesChongqing 400038, China
| | - Hongmei Gong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Research of Infectious DiseasesChongqing 400038, China
| | - Shilian Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Research of Infectious DiseasesChongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaomei Xiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Research of Infectious DiseasesChongqing 400038, China
| | - Jia Ge
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of ChinaChongqing 400038, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of ChinaChongqing 400038, China
| | - Qing Mao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Chongqing 400038, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Research of Infectious DiseasesChongqing 400038, China
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13
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Rybicka M, Bielawski KP. Recent Advances in Understanding, Diagnosing, and Treating Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1416. [PMID: 32942584 PMCID: PMC7565763 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects 292 million people worldwide and is associated with a broad range of clinical manifestations including cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the availability of an effective vaccine HBV still causes nearly 900,000 deaths every year. Current treatment options keep HBV under control, but they do not offer a cure as they cannot completely clear HBV from infected hepatocytes. The recent development of reliable cell culture systems allowed for a better understanding of the host and viral mechanisms affecting HBV replication and persistence. Recent advances into the understanding of HBV biology, new potential diagnostic markers of hepatitis B infection, as well as novel antivirals targeting different steps in the HBV replication cycle are summarized in this review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Rybicka
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland;
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14
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Design of aptamer-based sensing platform using gold nanoparticles functionalized reduced graphene oxide for ultrasensitive detection of Hepatitis B virus. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-020-01292-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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15
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Inoue T, Tanaka Y. Novel biomarkers for the management of chronic hepatitis B. Clin Mol Hepatol 2020; 26:261-279. [PMID: 32536045 PMCID: PMC7364351 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2020.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be eliminated completely from infected hepatocytes because of the presence of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). As chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is important to manage CHB to prevent HCC development in high-risk patients with high viral replicative activity or advanced fibrosis. Serum biomarkers are noninvasive and valuable for the management of CHB. Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) correlates with serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic cccDNA. In CHB patients with undetectable serum HBV DNA or loss of HBsAg, HBcrAg still can be detected and the decrease in HBcrAg levels is significantly associated with hopeful outcomes. Therefore, HBcrAg can predict HCC occurrence or recurrence. Measurement of the Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has been introduced for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. Because elevated M2BPGi in CHB is related to liver fibrosis and the prediction of HCC development, monitoring its progression is essential. Because alpha fetoprotein (AFP) has insufficient sensitivity and specificity for early-stage HCC, a combination of AFP plus protein induced by vitamin K absence factor II, or AFP plus Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein might improve the diagnosis of HCC development. Additionally, Dickkopf-1 and circulating immunoglobulin G antibodies are the novel markers to diagnose HCC or assess HCC prognosis. This review provides an overview of novel HBV biomarkers used for the management of intrahepatic viral replicative activity, liver fibrosis, and HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Inoue
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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16
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Hadziyannis E, Hadziyannis S. Current practice and contrasting views on discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analog therapy in chronic hepatitis B. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 14:243-251. [PMID: 32162562 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1738219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Long-term, even indefinite treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) is the current first-line therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), regardless of its histological stage. Guidelines and recommendations on duration and endpoints of NA therapy in CHB are not identical and change over time.Areas covered: The authors review NA discontinuation approaches and views with an emphasis on HBeAg-negative patients based on published studies relevant to the topic, stressing on whether or not the optimal endpoint of HBsAg loss is practically achievable.Expert opinion: Discontinuation of NA therapy in HBeAg-negative noncirrhotic patients has to be considered after long-term effective treatment with controlled liver disease activity, undetectable viremia, and significant decline in serum HBsAg titers. Close post-treatment monitoring is required for early intervention in cases of severe clinical relapse. Immediate retreatment hampers the favorable outcome of HBsAg clearance (functional cure) and should be avoided in transient ALT flares. Predictors of such relapses are still under investigation and include viral and patient factors. For HBeAg-positive noncirrhotic patients, there is wide acceptance of the endpoint of HBeAg seroconversion, after a long consolidation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Hadziyannis
- Second Academic Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stephanos Hadziyannis
- Second Academic Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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17
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Novel Biomarkers of Hepatitis B and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Significance of HBcrAg and M2BPGi. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030949. [PMID: 32023902 PMCID: PMC7037346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be removed completely from infected hepatocytes, owing to the presence of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). As chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), predicting HCC development in high-risk patients with high viral replicative activity or advanced fibrosis is important. Novel serological biomarkers reflect intrahepatic viral replicative activity or the progression of liver fibrosis, indicating non-invasive alternatives to liver biopsy: (1) Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) correlates with serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic cccDNA. In CHB patients, a decrease in HBcrAg is associated with favorable outcomes. HBcrAg can predict HCC occurrence or recurrence. (2) Measurement of the Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has been introduced for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. An increase in M2BPGi in CHB patients is related to the progression of liver fibrosis and high potential (risk) of HCC development. Here, we describe the clinical applications of HBcrAg and M2BPGi in CHB patients. Additionally, because new potential therapeutic agents that eliminate intrahepatic cccDNA are being developed, monitoring of HBcrAg or M2BPGi might be suitable for evaluating therapeutic effects and the clinical outcomes. In conclusion, these would be appropriate surrogate markers for predicting disease progression.
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18
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Novel Biomarkers of Hepatitis B and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Significance of HBcrAg and M2BPGi. Int J Mol Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030949
expr 921756688 + 899694353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be removed completely from infected hepatocytes, owing to the presence of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). As chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), predicting HCC development in high-risk patients with high viral replicative activity or advanced fibrosis is important. Novel serological biomarkers reflect intrahepatic viral replicative activity or the progression of liver fibrosis, indicating non-invasive alternatives to liver biopsy: (1) Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) correlates with serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic cccDNA. In CHB patients, a decrease in HBcrAg is associated with favorable outcomes. HBcrAg can predict HCC occurrence or recurrence. (2) Measurement of the Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) has been introduced for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. An increase in M2BPGi in CHB patients is related to the progression of liver fibrosis and high potential (risk) of HCC development. Here, we describe the clinical applications of HBcrAg and M2BPGi in CHB patients. Additionally, because new potential therapeutic agents that eliminate intrahepatic cccDNA are being developed, monitoring of HBcrAg or M2BPGi might be suitable for evaluating therapeutic effects and the clinical outcomes. In conclusion, these would be appropriate surrogate markers for predicting disease progression.
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19
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Ma G, Lou B, Lv F, Zhao D, Chen H, Ye X, Chen Y. HBcrAg, pg RNA and HBsAg dynamically supervise the seroconversion of HBsAg with anti-viral therapy: "Loss of HBsAg" maybe not a good end-point of anti-viral therapy. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 501:264-269. [PMID: 31730814 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify predictor of HBsAg seroconversion using serum quantitative pg-RNA, HBcrAg and HBsAg in CHB patients with anti-viral therapy. METHOD A total of 335 patients with anti-viral therapy between 2013 and 2017 were enrolled, only 23 achieved the seroconversion of HBsAg, other 138 patients without seroconversion of HBsAg were selected randomly in 312 patients. The samples date of 161 patients were analyzed at different time. We defined the decrease titer of pg-RNA, HBcrAg and HBsAg from baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 months as Δpg-RNA, ΔHBcrAg and ΔHBsAg, then we used the Δpg-RNA, ΔHBcrAg and ΔHBsAg to predict HBsAg seroconversion. RESULT About 6.9% of patients achieved HBsAg seroconversion after a median of 3.61 years' treatment. Using ROC to predict seroconversion of HBsAg, ΔHBsAg of 0.64 log10 IU/mL with AUC of 0.886 (0.802, 0.969; 95% CI) at 6 months and ΔHBsAg of 1.45 log10 IU/mL with AUC of 0.939 (0.868, 1.000; 95% CI) at 12 months had the maximized Youden's index. The comparison of HBcrAg "conversion" rates using Kaplan-Meier method between 23 patients with HBsAg conversion and 138 patients with HBsAg no conversion indicated that the two groups had significant difference at the time of antiviral discontinuation (p = 0.0124). CONCLUSION According to our results, we can use ΔHBsAg to pick out the appropriate patients who have the potential to achieve seroconversion by sticking to antiviral therapy, that is very important to reach the target of functional cure or even clinical cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghua Ma
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Bin Lou
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Feifei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Dejian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Hui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xianfei Ye
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
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20
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Inoue T, Tanaka Y. The Role of Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050357. [PMID: 31075974 PMCID: PMC6562807 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be completely eliminated from infected hepatocytes due to the existence of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Serological biomarkers reflect intrahepatic viral replicative activity as non-invasive alternatives to liver biopsy. Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is a novel biomarker that has an important role in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), because it correlates with serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic cccDNA. In clinical cases with undetectable serum HBV DNA or loss of HBsAg, HBcrAg still can be detected and the decrease in HBcrAg levels is significantly associated with promising outcomes for CHB patients. HBcrAg can predict spontaneous or treatment-induced hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, persistent responses before and after cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogues, potential HBV reactivation, HBV reinfection after liver transplantation, and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma progression or recurrence. In this review, the clinical applications of HBcrAg in CHB patients based on its virological features are described. Furthermore, new potential therapeutic anti-HBV agents that affect intrahepatic cccDNA are under development, and the monitoring of HBcrAg might be useful to judge therapeutic effects. In conclusion, HBcrAg might be a suitable surrogate marker beyond other HBV markers to predict the disease progression and treatment responses of CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Inoue
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya 467-8602, Japan.
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya 467-8602, Japan.
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan.
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