[Expression of human fibroleukin gene acute on chronic hepatitis B and its clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mRNA and protein expressions of human fibroleukin gene (hfg12) in acute on chronic (AOC) hepatitis B and its clinical significance.


METHODS
Liver tissues were obtained from 23 patients with AOC hepatitis B, 13 patients with chronic hepatitis, and 14 patients with cirrhosis to be examined histologically. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of hfg12 in the liver tissues. Double staining was used to the hfg12 positive samples to examine both the hfg12 and fibrin. Four specimens of liver tissue from normal donors were used as controls.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry showed that hfg12 was expressed in the liver tissues of 21 out of the 23 patients with AOC hepatitis B (91.30%) and only one out of the 13 patients with chronic hepatitis (7.69%). In situ hybridization showed that hfg12 was expressed in the liver tissues of 13 out of he 23 patients with AOC hepatitis B and in none of the 27 patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. In patients with AOC hepatitis Kupffer's cell, CD68 positive, was numerous and big, mainly distributed in the necrosis areas. It was identified as the same of hfg12-expressing cells.


CONCLUSIONS
High expression of hfg12 is one of the molecular mechanisms of necrosis of liver cells in AOC hepatitis.
Chen
Yue
Y
Division of Clinical Immunology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Research Institute of Immunology, Tongji Medical College of Huanzhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Ning
Qin
Q
Wang
Bao-ju
BJ
Zhang
Dong-shen
DS
Yan
Fu-ming
FM
Sun
Yi
Y
Xi
Dong
D
Yan
Wei-ming
WM
Hao
Lian-jie
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis
C095202:FGL2 protein, human; D005340:Fibrinogen