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Liu R, Yang L, Jiang T, Lu Y, Zhang L, Shen G, Wu S, Chang M, Hao H, Hu L, Gao Y, Xu M, Chen X, Yi W, Li M, Xie Y. Hepatitis B core-related antigen serum levels may be a predictor of acute flare of chronic hepatitis B among pregnant women in the immune-tolerant phase of chronic HBV infection after short-course antiviral therapy. Virulence 2023; 14:2186335. [PMID: 36864005 PMCID: PMC10012896 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2186335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown acute flares of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) might be related to immunologic changes that occur during pregnancy. However, the indicators for predicting acute flares of CHB among pregnant women still need further study. We aimed to distinguish the relevance between serum levels of HBcrAg and acute flares of CHB in pregnant women in the immune-tolerant phase of chronic HBV infection after short-course antiviral therapy. METHODS A total of 172 chronic HBV-infected pregnant women who were judged to be in the immune-tolerant phase were recruited in our research. All patients received short-course antiviral therapy with TDF. The biochemical, serological, and virological parameters were measured using standard laboratory procedures. The serum levels of HBcrAg were tested by ELISA. RESULTS Fifty-two (30.2%) out of 172 patients had acute flares of CHB. At postpartum week 12 (TDF cessation), serum HBcrAg (OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.58-7.92) and HBsAg (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.13-5.65) were associated with acute flares of CHB. The serum HBcrAg levels were beneficial for confirmation of patients with acute flares of CHB, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.78-0.91). CONCLUSIONS For pregnant women with chronic HBV infection in the immune-tolerant phase, serum HBcrAg and HBsAg levels at postpartum week 12 were associated with acute flares of CHB after short-course antiviral therapy with TDF. The serum HBcrAg level can correctly identify acute flares of CHB and may be a predictor of the need for continuing antiviral therapy after 12 weeks postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Liu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Shen
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Wu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxiao Hao
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Leiping Hu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanjiao Gao
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengjiao Xu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxue Chen
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Kim SR, Kim SK. Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatitis: Advanced Diagnosis and Management with a Focus on the Prevention of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3212. [PMID: 37892033 PMCID: PMC10605503 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Though the world-wide hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination program has been well completed for almost thirty years in many nations, almost HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in unvaccinated middle-aged and elderly adults. Apparently, treating 80% of qualified subjects could decrease HBV-related mortality by 65% in a short period. Nevertheless, globally, only 2.2% of CHB patients undergo antiviral therapy. The HBV markers related to HCC occurrence and prevention are as follows: the HCC risk is the highest at a baseline of HBV DNA of 6-7 log copies/mL, and it is the lowest at a baseline of an HBV DNA level of >8 log copies/mL and ≤4 log copies/mL (parabolic, and not linear pattern). The titer of an HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) reflecting the amount of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (ccc DNA) in the liver is related to HCC occurrence. The seroclearance of HBs antigen (HBsAg) is more crucial than HBV DNA negativity for the prevention of HCC. In terms of the secondary prevention of hepatitis B-related HCC involving antiviral therapies with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), unsolved issues include the definition of the immune-tolerant phase; the optimal time for starting antiviral therapies with NAs; the limits of increased aminotransferase (ALT) levels as criteria for therapy in CHB patients; the normalization of ALT levels with NAs and the relation to the risk of HCC; and the relation between serum HBV levels and the risk of HCC. Moreover, the first-line therapy with NAs including entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) remains to be clarified. Discussed here, therefore, are the recent findings of HBV markers related to HCC occurrence and prevention, unsolved issues, and the current secondary antiviral therapy for the prevention of HBV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Soo Ki Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kobe Asahi Hospital, Kobe 653-0801, Japan;
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Chang KC, Chua HH, Chen YH, Tsuei DJ, Lee MH, Chiang CL, Jeng YM, Wu JF, Chen HL, Hsu HY, Ni YH, Chang MH. Hepatitis B virus X gene impacts on the innate immunity and immune-tolerant phase in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Liver Int 2022; 42:2154-2166. [PMID: 35762289 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The immunologic features involved in the immune-tolerant phase of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus (HBV) infection are unclear. The hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein disrupts IFN-β induction by downregulating MAVS and may destroy subsequent HBV-specific adaptive immunity. We aimed to analyse the impacts of genetic variability of HBx in CHB patients on the immune-tolerant phase during long-term follow-up. METHODS Children with CHB in the immune-tolerant phase were recruited and followed longitudinally. HBx gene sequencing of infecting HBV strains was performed, and the effects of HBx mutations on the immune-tolerant phase were assessed. Restoration of the host immune response to end the immune-tolerant phase was investigated by immunoblotting, immunostaining, ELISA and reporter assays of MAVS/IFN-β signalling in liver cell lines, patient liver tissues and the HBV plasmid replication system. RESULTS A total of 173 children (median age, 6.92 years) were recruited. Patients carrying HBx R87G, I127V and R87G + I127V double mutations exhibited higher cumulative incidences of immune-tolerant phase breakthrough (p = .011, p = .006 and p = .017 respectively). Cells transfected with HBx R87G and I127V mutants and pHBV1.3-B6.3 replicons containing the HBx R87G and I127V mutations exhibited statistically increased levels of IFN-β, especially under poly(I:C) stimulation or Flag-MAVS cotransfection. HA-HBx wild-type interacted with Flag-MAVS and enhanced its ubiquitination, but this ability was diminished in the R87G and I127V mutants. CONCLUSIONS HBx suppresses IFN-β induction. R87G and I127V mutation restored IFN-β production by preventing MAVS degradation, contributing to curtailing the HBV immune-tolerant phase in CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Chi Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Huey Chua
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Daw-Jen Tsuei
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hui Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Lun Chiang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ming Jeng
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Feng Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Ling Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Medical Education and Bioethics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yuan Hsu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Medical Education and Bioethics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsuan Ni
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Medical Microbiota Center, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center of Genomic and Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hwei Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Zeng DW, Huang ZX, Lin MX, Kang NL, Lin X, Li YN, Zhu YY, Liu YR. A novel HBsAg-based model for predicting significant liver fibrosis among Chinese patients with immune-tolerant phase chronic hepatitis B: a multicenter retrospective study. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2021; 14:17562848211010675. [PMID: 34104207 PMCID: PMC8165523 DOI: 10.1177/17562848211010675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the immune-tolerant (IT) phase is significantly associated with high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting requirement for antiviral therapy, particularly for those with histological liver injury. This study aimed to establish a non-invasive panel to assess significant liver fibrosis in IT chronic hepatitis B. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred and thirteen IT-phase CHB patients were retrospectively recruited and divided into two histopathological groups according to their histological profiles: necroinflammatory score <4 (N <4)/fibrosis score ⩽1 (F0-1), and necroinflammatory score ⩾4 (N ⩾4)/fibrosis score ⩾2 (F2-4). Multivariate analysis was conducted to assess the predictive value of the non-invasive model for significant liver fibrosis. RESULTS IT-phase CHB patients with N <4/F0-1 had significantly higher HBsAg levels than those with N ⩾4/F2-4. The optimal HBsAg level of log 4.44 IU/mL for significant liver fibrosis (F ⩾2) gave an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83, sensitivity of 81.1%, specificity of 81.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 68.2%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.9%. An IT model with HBsAg and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in combination was established, and it had an AUC of 0.86, sensitivity of 86.5%, specificity of 81.6%, PPV of 69.6, NPV of 92.5, and accuracy of 83.2% to predict F ⩾2 in the IT-phase CHB patients. Notably, the IT model exhibited higher predictive value than the existing aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, Fibrosis-4 score, and GGT to platelet ratio. CONCLUSION The established IT model combining HBsAg and GGT has good performance in predicting significant liver fibrosis in IT-phase CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Na-Ling Kang
- Department of Hepatology, Hepatology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Department of Hepatology, Hepatology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ya-Nan Li
- Department of Hepatology, Hepatology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yue-Yong Zhu
- Department of Hepatology, Hepatology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
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