title: Predictive value of serum ALT and T-cell receptor beta variable chain for HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients during tenofovir treatment.
abstract: Effective antiviral therapy plays a key role in slowing the progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Identification of serum indices, including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) expression and seroconversion, will facilitate evaluation of the efficacy of antiviral therapy in HBeAg-positive CHB patients. The biochemical, serological, virological parameters, and the frequency of circulating CD4CD25 regulatory T cell (Treg) in 32 patients were measured at baseline and every 12 weeks during 96 weeks of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment. The relationship between the hepatitis B virus (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Treg and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was analyzed, respectively. The molecular profiles of T-cell receptor beta variable chain (TRBV) were determined using gene melting spectral pattern. For the seroconverted 12 patients, ALT declined to normal levels by week 24 and remained at this level in subsequent treatment; moreover, the predictive cutoff value of ALT for HBeAg seroconversion (SC) was 41.5 U/L at week 24. The positive correlation between HBV DNA and Treg and ALT was significant in SC patients, but not in non-SC patients. Six TRBV families (BV3, BV11, BV12, BV14, BV20, and BV24) were predominantly expressed in SC patients at baseline. The decline of ALT could be used to predict HBeAg seroconversion for CHB patients during TDF treatment. In addition, the profile of Tregs and TRBVs may be associated with HBeAg seroconversion and could also be a potential indicator for predicting HBeAg SC and treatment outcome for CHB patients.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou Department of immunology, Zunyi Medical Univesity, Zunyi, China.
authors.forename: Jiezuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Renyong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Jiajia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yongtao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Xuyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Xinsheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Hongyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.forename: Lanjuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069078:Seroconversion; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; D000068698:Tenofovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000410:Alanine Transaminase