The Effects Of HBV Precore Region Mutation On The Cellular Immunity And The Cytokines TNF-α And TGF-β1 In Patients With HBeAg-negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Objective:To investigate the effects of HBV precore region mutation (nt1896) on the cellular immunity and the cytokines TNF-αand TGF-β1in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods:The HBV precore region 1896 mutation was determined with PCR method.The 80 CHB patients were divided into four groups by the various degrees and 1896 mutation:A group(mild and morderate patients with wild HBV infection);B group(mild and morderate patients with mutant HBV infection);C group(advanced patients with wild HBV infection);D group(advanced patients with mutant HBV infection).20 health volunteers were included into the control group.The T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood and the TGF-β1, TNF-αHA,LN,Ⅳ-C and PCⅢwas analyzed.Results:CHB patients had significantly decreased CD3+and CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ration,and increased CD8+cells compared with unifected controls,all with P<0.01.Comparing with HBV precore region non-mutation group,the patients with precore mutation had significant decreased CD4+cells and CD4+/CD8+ration and increased CD8+cells. Advanced patients had significantly decreased CD3+and CD4+cells and CD4+/CD8+ration,and increased CD8+cells compared with mild and moderate patients.CHB patients had significantly increased TGF-β1, TNF-αHA,LN,Ⅳ-C and PCⅢ compared with unifected controls,all with P<0.01.Comparing with HBV precore region non-mutation group,the patients with precore mutation had significant increased TGF-β1, TNF-αHA,LN,Ⅳ-C and PCⅢ.Conslusion:T-lymphocyte dysfunction and expression of TGF-β1, TNF-αwas significantly associated with HBV precore region mutation in CHB patients.Which with HBeAg expression and the HBV DNA replication affect each other and co-result in lower T-cell immune function and chronic infection persistent status.