The human C-type lectin 18 is a potential biomarker in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Journal of Biomedical Science

Cheng-Yuan Peng¹  Hsueh-Chou Lai¹  Ya-Lang Huang²  Hwai-I Yang²  Shie-Liang Hsieh²  Mi-Hua Tao³  Shin-Sheng Yuan⁴  Tsung-Yu Tsai⁵ 

[1] Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital;Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica;Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica;Institute of Statistical Sciences, Academia Sinica;Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, China Medical University and Academia Sinica;

关键词: Hepatitis B virus;    C-type lectin 18;    HBeAg seroconversion;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12929-018-0460-2

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common disease worldwide and is known to cause liver disease. C-type lectin 18 (CLEC18) is a novel secretory lectin highly expressed in human hepatocytes. Because the liver is the major target of HBV infection, we investigated whether the expression of CLEC18 can be used as a biomarker for HBV infection. Methods The expression level of CLEC18 in human liver chimeric mice with/without HBV infection was measured by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Baseline plasma CLEC18 levels in 271 treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) undergoing nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapy and 35 healthy donors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the relationships to other clinical data were analyzed. Results The expression of CLEC18 was down-regulated in the human liver chimeric mice after HBV infection. Plasma CLEC18 levels were lower in the patients with CHB compared to the healthy donors and positively correlated with HBV DNA and HBsAg levels (P <  0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified a baseline plasma CLEC18 level of 320–2000 pg/mL to be an independent predictor of HBeAg loss (hazard ratio (HR): 2.077, P = 0.0318), seroconversion (HR: 2.041, P = 0.0445) and virological response (HR: 1.850, P = 0.0184) in 101 HBeAg-positive patients with CHB undergoing NUC therapy. Conclusions Plasma CLEC18 levels were correlated with the stage of HBV infection and could predict HBeAg loss and seroconversion in the patients with CHB undergoing NUC therapy.

【 授权许可】

Unknown