Correlation analysis of IL-37 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic HBV infection among Han people in Central China

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for various liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which pose a significant threat to human health. An ineffective immune response to HBV can result in viral chronicity. Interleukin-37 (IL-37), an immunomodulator, is capable of inhibiting both innate and adaptive immune responses. It is believed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL-37 gene could contribute to the regulation of HBV clearance. Our aim to conduct this study was to investigate whether SNPs in the IL-37 gene were associated with the risk of chronic HBV infection in adults. A total of 342 participants, consisting of 171 cases and 171 controls, were recruited for this study. Sanger sequencing was employed for genotyping six SNPs (rs3811042 G/A, rs3811043 G/C, rs2466449 A/G, rs3811045 C/T, rs3811046 T/G and rs3811047G/A). There was no significant difference in allele and genotype distribution between the two groups, and the constructed haplotypes were not found to be associated with the risk of chronic HBV infection. Our results revealed that there was no relationship between these six SNPs (rs3811042G/A, rs3811043G/C, rs2466449A/G, rs3811045C/T, rs3811046T/G and rs3811047G/A) in the IL-37 gene and susceptibility to chronic HBV infection among Han people in Central China.

[A recombinant adenovirus vector carrying murine interleukin-21 gene controls chronic HBV infection in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of an adenovirus vector containing murine interleukin-21 gene (Ad-GFP-mIL-21) in virus clearance and on the production of HBV-specific antibodies in mice with persistent HBV infection.

METHODS

ELISA and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of mIL-21 in the supernatant and cytoplasm of cultured HepG2.2.15 cells after infection by Ad-GFP-mIL-21. Mouse models of chronic HBV infection established by in vivo transduction with rAAV8-1.3HBV were divided into 3 groups for treatment 12 weeks later with injection of Ad-GFP-mIL-21, GFP recombinant adenovirus or PBS via the tail vein. Serum levels of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb, and mIL-21 in the mice were detected using ELISA, and the expression of Ad-GFP-mIL-21 in the organs was observed by fluorescent microscopy at different time points after the injection.

RESULTS

Ad-GFP-mIL-21 was capable of infecting HepG2.2.15 cells in vitro, and the levels of mIL-21 in the supernatant were correlated with the titers of adenovirus administered and the infection time. In the mice with persistent HBV infection, green fluorescence expression was observed almost exclusively in the liver on day 4 after injection of Ad-GFP-mIL21, and serum levels of IL-21 increased significantly compared with the level before treatment (P<0.05). Although HBsAb was undetectable in both Ad-GFP-mIL21-injected and control mice on day 13, a significantly higher serum level of HBcAb was detected in the mice with Ad-GFP-mIL21 injection (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ad-GFP-mIL-21 can efficiently express mIL-21 in mice with chronic HBV infection to downregulate serum levels of HBsAg and promote HBcAb production, suggesting its efficacy in controlling chronic HBV infection.

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a对慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞表面IFNGR1的影响

目的

研究聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(polyethylene glycol interferon α-2a, PEG-IFNα-2a)对慢性乙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis B, CHB)患者外周血中干扰素-γ(interferon-gamma, IFN-γ)及γ干扰素受体1(interferon gamma receptor 1, IFNGR1)水平的影响.

方法

应用PEG-IFNα-2a治疗的不同时间点抽取CHB患者及健康对照组静脉血, 酶联免疫吸附法检测其血清IFN-γ浓度, 实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术检测其外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuelear cells, PBMCs)表面IFNGR1的表达情况.

结果

CHB组患者IFN-γ及IFNGR1均高于健康对照组(P<0.05). 在使用聚乙二醇干扰素抗病毒治疗过程中, CHB患者IFN-γ及IFNGR1在12 wk时达到高峰, 此后开始下降, 至48 wk时低于治疗前水平, 但仍高于健康对照组(P<0.05). 抗病毒治疗12 wk时, 乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus，HBV)DNA阴转组IFNGR1的表达水平高于HBV DNA未阴转组(2.22±0.65 vs 1.35±0.71), 两者差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).

结论

IFN-γ参与了CHB的发病, 治疗12 wk时患者PBMCs表面IFNGR1的表达水平可能作为干扰素抗HBV治疗早期预测干扰素疗效的因子.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis in 12 patients with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma confirmed by HTLV-1 provirus gene detection]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Methods: Peripheral blood samples from patients who were suspected as ATLL from March, 2013 to July, 2015, were collected for HTLV-1 provirus genes detection in genomic DNA extraction by PCR. Cases showing positive results were confirmed as ATLL. Clinical and laboratory characteristics, therapeutic outcomes and survival evaluation were collected. Results: 12 out of 23 suspected patients were confirmedly diagnosed as ATLL through HTLV-1 provirus genes detection by PCR. Eight patients were male and four patients were female. Median age was 51 (range 28-66) years old. All of those patients came from coastal cities of Fujian province where a HTLV-1 epidemic area locates. In the subtype classification of these 12 ATLL, 11 patients were classified as acute type and one case as lymphoma type ATLL. As one of the clinical characteristics of ATLL, ' flower cells ', with typical or atypical morphology had been observed in a high rate (81.8%). Clinical symptom such as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenectasis were detected in most of patients, and hypercalcemia and elevated LDH were also noted commonly. The ATLL cells immunophenotype were typical, and the major subtype was CD4+ CD8- type. Confection of hepatitis B virus was detected in a high rate (54.5%). Ten patients received chemotherapy, and 2 cases in complete remission after chemotherapy received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At the end of the follow-up, 7 cases died, 4 cases survived, 1 case was lost, and the median survival was 2.8 (0.9-10.8) months. We found a case had HTLV-1 provirus negative after transplantation. Conclusion: In the coastal area of Fujian Province, ATLL is not rare. Characteristics of those ATLL are typical. But prognosis is still unsatisfactory.

[Experimental study on hepatitis B-virus X gene expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of hepatitis B-virus X gene (HBX) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and determine its clinical significance.

METHODS

Between June 2008 and October 2012, in-hospital patients with salivary gland tumors who were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Kunming Medical University, were enrolled to this study. HBeAb-positive patients were defined as those exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) or harboring persistent HBV infection regardless of being HBeAg positive or negative. According to the pathological results, all patients were divided into ACC group and control group. Immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect HBX expression in ACC group and control group.

RESULTS

HBX expression was mostly detected in the cytoplasm of ACC cells. Minimal HBX expression was detected in the nucleus. HBX expression was significantly higher in ACC than in Warthin's tumor. A significant difference was observed between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

HBX is expressed in ACC and may be associated with the development of ACC. HBX might serve important functions in the carcinogenesis and development of ACC.