ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate expressions of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in hepatic tissues at the different stages of hepatitis B virus ( HBV) infection, and clarify its role in the mechanism of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Methods The expressions of PD-L1 were detected by immunohistochemistry and computer image quantitative analysis in the hepatic tissues of 65 chronic HBV infected patients and 5 healthy controls. The correlations between PD-L1 expression and inflammatory grading in the hepatic tissues, total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum HBV DNA level were analyzed. Results The PD-L1 expressions in hepatic tissues of HBV infection with G0 - G4 inflammatory grades were 3. 07 % ±0.93%, 8.01%±1.49%, 11.60%±2.60%, 18.41%±2.21% and 26. 04% ±3. 41%, respectively,which were all significantly stronger than that in controls (0. 64%±0. 28%). PD-L1 expression was a positively correlated with inflammation grading of hepatitis tissues, TBil, ALT and AST level in serum (r=0. 917, 0. 787, 0. 483, 0. 628; all P<0. 05), and negatively correlated with serum HBV DNA load (r=-0. 620, P<0. 05). Conclusion The upregulated PD-L1 expression may be probably involved in the chronicity of HBV infection.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between clinical presentation and pathological characteristics in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients with steatosis, and to find out the predictors of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Methods HgeAg negative CHB patients with (n=56) or without (n=60) steatosis confirmed clinically and pathologically were enrolled in the study. All patients were examined for fasting blood glucose(FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyhransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) albumin (Alb), globulin(Glb), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HBV-DNA and body mass index(BMI). The association of above parameters with hepatic inflammation, fibrosis and fatty deposition were analyzed statistically. Results It was demonstrated that BMI, FBG, FINS, TG, TC, GGT, ALP , Glb and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in HBeAg negative CHB patients with steatosis than those without steatosis (P<0.05). Whereas the levels of HBV-DNA, Alb, ALT and AST were significantly lower in HBeAg negative CHB patients with steatosis compared with those without steatosis (P<0.05). The hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were aggravated in patients with steatosis. It was implicated that BMI,FBG, FINS, TG, TC, GGT and HOMA-IR(all P values 0.05) were significant predictors for hepatic steatosis, while ALT, AST, Glb and HBV-DNA(all P values <0.05) were significant predictors for hepatic inflammation. And the predictors for hepatic fibrosis were ALT, AST, Alb, Glb and HBV-DNA(all P values <0.05). Conclusions Hepatic steatosis is common in HBeAg negative CHB patients which is positively associated with parameters including BMI, FBG, FINS, TG, TC, GGT, ALP and HOMA-IR. Besides steatosis, the hepatic inflammation and fibrosis are also aggravated in these patients.