APOBEC3G mRNA levels predict histological liver damage in chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Objective To determine the relations between the expression of APOBEC3G(A3G) mRNA in PBMC and liver tissue,and to study the relations between human A3G and inflammation activity in the liver tissues.Methods The expression of A3G mRNA in PBMC and liver tissue in 45 patients with chronic hepatitis B disease(32 HBeAg positive and 13 HBeAg negative)were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR.The routine HE stained liver tissue sections were analyzed and Knodell pathological score were evaluated.HBV viral loads,liver function and PT were also detected.Besides,another 15 healthy people were detected as control.Results ①There was a significant positive correlation of A3G mRNA levels between liver tissue and PBMC(r=0.457,P < 0.05).②There was a significant negative correlation between A3G mRNA and liver Knodell pathological score(r=-0.441,P<0.05).③There was a significant positive correlation between A3G mRNA levels in PBMC and HBV DNA viral loads(r=0.299,P < 0.05) .A3G mRNA levels in PBMC had no correlation with TBil,ALT and PT.Conclusions ①PBMC can be first selected and treated as appropriated sample to study A3G mRNA levels in chronic HBV infected patients by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR.②A3G mRNA levels can predict histological liver damage in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.The higher level of PBMC A3G mRNA,the less damages of liver tissue. Key words: Hepatitis B; chronic; APOBEC3G; PBMC; liver tissue