scholarly journals Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus Genomes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Cirrhosis, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahdat Poortahmasebi ◽  
Seyed Moayed Alavian ◽  
Azam Ghaziasadi ◽  
Arezou Azadi ◽  
Mohsen Nasiritoosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Hbv Dna ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Blood Mononuclear Cells

Background: Several studies have revealed that the hepatitis B virus (HBV) exists in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). It remains poorly understood whether HBV DNA and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) can emerge in PBMCs of patients with different stages of HBV infection. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the detection of HBV DNA and quantification and presence of cccDNA within PBMC from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The present study was conducted on 120 participants (30 CHB patients, 30 cirrhosis patients, 30 HCC patients, and 30 healthy controls) from Tehran, Iran. HBV serological markers were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PBMCs of all individuals were assayed for HBV DNA detection, quantification, and the presence of cccDNA. Results: Of 90 HBV patients, 58 (64.4%) were positive for HBV DNA in PBMCs. HBV DNA was detected in PBMCs isolated from 13/30 CHB, 20/30 cirrhosis, and 25/30 HCC patients. In addition, 6 (20%) CHB, 13 (43.3%) cirrhosis, and 16 (15.3%) HCC patients were cccDNA positive. The HBV viral loads in serums were statistically higher than the HBV viral loads of PBMCs (P < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between HBV DNA loads in serums and PBMCs of patients. Moreover, HBV DNA quantity of serums and PBMCs showed a significant association in terms of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status. Conclusions: HBV quantity in PBMCs correlated with serum HBV viral loads. HBV genomes in PBMCs may be a risk factor for HBV disease progression.

scholarly journals Interferon Gamma-Inducible Protein 16 of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells May Sense Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Regulate the Antiviral Immunity

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Qing Lu ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Xiang-Ji Wu ◽  
Hui Ma ◽  
Yan-Xiu Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Interferon Gamma ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Hbeag Seroconversion ◽  
Hbv Dna ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Inducible Protein

Interferon gamma-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) is a DNA sensor protein, which triggers interferon-beta (IFN-β) production. However, the role of IFI16 in the innate immunity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains controversial. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum specimens were collected from 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving Peg-IFN-α2b therapy. IFI16 mRNA/protein of PBMCs and serum IFI16 at baseline and changes during Peg-IFN-α2b treatment were detected. The interaction between IFI16 and HBV DNA in the PBMCs was analyzed using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Leukemic T cell line CEM-C7 and HBV-replicating HepG2.2.15 cells were used to test the effects of interferon treatment and HBV replication on IFI16 expression. Compared with healthy controls, lower levels of IFI16 mRNA but more significant expression of IFI16 protein with heterogeneous degradation were detected in PBMCs of CHB patients. Early changes in IFI16 mRNA, but not IFNB mRNA of PBMCs or serum IFI16, were correlated to HBeAg seroconversion of Peg-IFN-α2b therapy. An interaction between IFI16 and HBV DNA was detected in the PBMCs. In the cultured HepG2.2.15 and CEM-C7 cells, interferons resulted in the translocalization of IFI16 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and inhibited IFI16 degradation. IFI16 of PBMCs may play a role in sensing HBV infection, and early change in IFI16 mRNA of PBMCs is valuable to predict HBeAg seroconversion in Peg-IFN-α2b treatment. The influences on IFI16 degradation and subcellular location may present a molecular mechanism of antiviral activity of interferon.

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