Correlation of hepatitis B core antigen and beta-catenin expression on hepatocytes in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: relevance to the severity of liver damage and viral replication.
OBJECTIVE
The topographical distribution of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is related to the pathogenesis of liver damage caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. beta-catenin plays an important role in both intracellular adhesion and Wnt signaling transduction pathways. This study investigated the intrahepatic expression of HBcAg and beta-catenin in chronic HBV infection, and correlated the results with the degree of liver damage and viral replication.


METHODS
Liver sections from 73 patients with chronic HBV infection were examined immunohistochemically for HBcAg and beta-catenin.


RESULTS
The distribution of HBcAg could be classified into four types: only nucleus (C-1), both nucleus and cytoplasm (C-2), only cytoplasm (C-3) and all negative for nucleus and cytoplasm (C-4). Significant differences in serum aminotransferase level, HBV DNA and necroinflammatory score were observed among the different distribution types, and as the distribution of HBcAg changed from C-1 to C-4, fibrosis stage and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative/anti-HBe positive rate increased concurrently. The distribution of beta-catenin could be classified into two types: only membrane (B-1) and membrane with nucleus or cytoplasm (B-2). B-2 showed higher serum aminotransferase level and necroinflammatory score than B-1. Between B-1 and B-2, there was no significant difference in serum HBV DNA level or fibrosis stage.


CONCLUSIONS
In chronic HBV infection, HBcAg distribution may change from C-1 to C-4 gradually, and in correlation with serum aminotransferase, and HBV DNA and HBeAg negative/anti-HBe positive rate. Nuclear or cytoplasmic distribution of beta-catenin, compared with exclusive membranous distribution of beta-catenin, is related to active hepatitis, but not viral replication.
Kim
Chang Wook
CW
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Yoon
Seung Kew
SK
Jung
Eun Sun
ES
Jung
Chan Kwon
CK
Jang
Jeong Won
JW
Kim
Min Soo
MS
Lee
So Yeon
SY
Bae
Si Hyun
SH
Choi
Jong Young
JY
Choi
Sang Wook
SW
Han
Nam Ik
NI
Lee
Chang Don
CD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014779:Virus Replication; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics*
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D051176:beta Catenin