[Relationship between the HBV core gene mutation and the cellular immunity in host].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between the mutation of Leu60Val in HBV core region and the cellular immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).


METHODS
HBV DNA C gene mutation was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing the products directly. The cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2) levels in serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry (FCM).


RESULTS
The mutation of Leu60Val was found in 19 out of the 91 CHB patients. With the CHB severity, the mutation rate was getting higher, especially in the severe hepatitis group. The IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels were much higher in mutant strain group than those in wild strain group (t=2.584, 4.766, P<0.01), so was the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ (t=2.275, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The mutant strain of 60Val may increase affinity to HLA-I molecule, or up-regulate the expression of HLA-I molecule, resulting in the activation of CTL to release the cytokines and cause immune response in liver.
Li
Jia
J
Tianjin Infectious Diseases Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China.
Zhu
Li-min
LM
Liang
Shu-ren
SR
Li
Shun-tian
ST
Xu
Jian
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma