Objective To determine whether
mutation of
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X
gene is associated with
hepatitis B virus-associated
glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).
Methods The venous
blood was collected from 50
patients with HBV-GN and 60
patients with asymptomatic HBV carriers (
control group).
Serum HBV
DNA was extracted to determine the
serum titer of HBV-
DNA and then
polymerase chain reaction (
PCR) was used to detect the HBV X
gene mutation.Results (1)There were not statistical significance between age and
gender in HBV-GN group and
control group (P >0.05).There were not statistical significance of
serum replication level of HBV
DNA in HBV-GN with X
gene mutation and
control group (P > 0.05).
Urine protein excretion in HBV-GN group with or without X
gene mutation was found with statistical significance (P < 0.05).(2)
Nucleotide mutations [84% (42/50)] resulted in
amino acid substitution in HBV-GN.
Nucleotide mutations changed in transfunction control region of X
gene,including position nt1653,nt1726,nt1727,nt1730,nt1753,nt1762 and nt1764.(3)
Nucleotide mutations [8%(5/60)] resulted in
amino acid substitution in
control group.
Nucleotide mutations changed in position nt1632 and nt1635,located in non-functional region.Conclusions HBV X
gene mutations and the subsequent
amino acid substitutions are found in HBV-GN.The
urine protein excretion level increases in
patients with X
mutation,suggesting that these
mutations may
play an important
role in the pathogenesis of HBV-GN.