Expression and significance of transforming growth factor-β_1 in chronic hepatitis B

[Objective]To study the expression of transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1) in chronic hepatitis B,and the relationship between the expression of TGF-β1 and liver fibrosis stage.[Methods] Serum and liver tissue were taken from 32 chronic hepatitis B patients.ELISA were used to detect the levels of serum TGF-β1 in 32 patients with CHB.Pathological changes of liver tissues were detected by HE,Masson and Gordon-Sweet staining.With immunohistochemistry method,the expression and distribution of TGF-β1 in liver were detected in CHB.[Results] TGF-β1 were strongly expressed in fibrosis liver tissues.TGF-β1 were detected in nonparenchymal cells(NPC),such as hepatic stellate cells,endothelial cells,myofibroblasts and hepatocyte.The serum level of TGF-β1 and its expression in liver tissues were gradually increased in the different processes of hepatic fibrosis.Both of them were positively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis.[Conclusions] TGF-β1 levels were correlated with the degree of fibrosis.TGF-β1 may play an important role in the development of hepatic fibrosis.