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Furin mRNA expression in peripheral blood correlates with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Author(s) -
Chen Yan,
Xie Xia,
Gu Lin,
Huang XiaoHui,
Peng XiaoMou
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2012.01051.x
Subject(s) - furin , foxp3 , immunology , asymptomatic , il 2 receptor , immune system , hepatitis b virus , medicine , virology , messenger rna , biology , virus , gene , t cell , enzyme , biochemistry
Aim: The mechanisms underlying development of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are related to immune tolerance, but are as yet incompletely understood. Furin has been found to be essential for maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance mediated by regulatory T cells (Treg). Such effect of furin on chronic HBV infection was investigated in this study. Methods: Peripheral blood from 40 individuals with self‐limited HBV infection, 40 patients with asymptomatic persistent HBV infection and 40 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was collected and mRNA expression levels of furin, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and the Treg‐function‐related forkhead transcription factor FoxP3 were detected using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + Treg were detected using flow cytometry. Results: Furin mRNA expression in peripheral blood was significantly higher in patients with persistent HBV infection than in individuals with self‐limited infection ( P < 0.01), and was much higher in CHB patients than in those with asymptomatic persistent infection ( P < 0.01). Furthermore, furin mRNA was relatively higher in patients with positive hepatitis B e antigen and higher levels of serum HBV DNA (>10 000 copies/mL). In patients with CHB, furin mRNA expression was found to correlate with TGF‐β1 mRNA and FoxP3 mRNA expression using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test. It was 5.7‐times higher in CD4 + CD25 + T cells than in CD4 + CD25 – T cells and correlated with the frequency of Treg ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Furin mRNA expression in peripheral blood correlates with chronic HBV infection and liver damage, and seems to participate in immune inhibitory and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms in HBV infection, mediated by TGF‐β1 and/or Treg.