title: Serum beta2-microglobulin in chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: beta2-Microglobulin (beta2-MG) plays a key role in influencing the immune response to viral infections as it is an integrating part of the main histocompatibility system (HLA). We attempted to evaluate the changes in class I HLA antigens by comparing the serum beta2-MG behavior in a group of patients affected by chronic hepatitis C with that observed in a group of healthy controls. Our study revealed that the patients presented higher serum beta2-MG levels than healthy controls (P = 0.0003). beta2-MG levels were correlated with duration and degree of the disease. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between beta2-MG and HCV RNA levels, while no correlations were observed between serum beta2-MG levels and HCV genotypes. The increment in serum beta2-MG values accompanying the progression of liver disease may be an expression of augmented production rather than altered excretion.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Medicina Interna e Geriatria, Medical School of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Restuccia
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Di Fazio
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zoccolo
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Trovato
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pistone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin