Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2018 | Research article
Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 levels in patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases
Authors:
Hoang Van Tong, Nguyen Van Ba, Nghiem Xuan Hoan, Mai Thanh Binh, Dao Thanh Quyen, Ho Anh Son, Hoang Van Luong, Do Quyet, Christian G. Meyer, Le Huu Song, Nguyen Linh Toan, Thirumalaisamy P. Velavan
Published in:
BMC Infectious Diseases
|
Issue 1/2018
Login to get access
Abstract
Background
Clinical progression of HBV-related liver diseases is largely associated with the activity of HBV-specific T cells. Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFGL2), mainly secreted by T cells, is an important effector molecule of the immune system.
Methods
sFGL2 levels were determined by ELISA assays in sera of 296 HBV patients clinically classified into the subgroups of acute hepatitis B (AHB), chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and patients with LC plus HCC. As control group, 158 healthy individuals were included. FGL2 mRNA was quantified by qRT-PCR in 32 pairs of tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues.
Results
sFGL2 levels were elevated in HBV patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). In the patient group, sFGL2 levels were increased in AHB compared to CHB patients (P = 0.017). sFGL2 levels were higher in LC patients compared to those without LC (P = 0.006) and were increased according to the development of cirrhosis as staged by Child-Pugh scores (P = 0.024). Similarly, HCC patients had increased sFGL2 levels compared to CHB patients (P = 0.033) and FGL2 mRNA was up-regulated in tumor tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues (P = 0.043). In addition, sFGL2 levels were positively correlated with HBV-DNA loads and AST (Spearman’s rho = 0.21, 0.25 and P = 0.006, 0.023, respectively), but reversely correlated with platelet counts and albumin levels (Spearman’s rho = − 0.27, − 0.24 and P = 0.014, 0.033, respectively).
Conclusions
sFGL2 levels are induced by HBV infection and correlated with the progression and clinical outcome of HBV-related liver diseases. Thus, sFGL2 may serve as a potential indicator for HBV-related liver diseases.