Detection of serum large and middle hepatitis B virus surface proteins: A novel potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for chronic hepatitis B

• Published in: Clinica chimica acta Vol. 553; p. 117739
• Main Authors: Zeng, Yongbin, Zhu, Chenggong, Huang, Er, Xun, Zhen, Zhang, Yanfang, Chen, Tianbin, Lin, Caorui, Fu, Ya, Wu, Songhang, Yang, Bin, Ou, Qishui, Liu, Can
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15-01-2024
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnosis; DNA, Viral; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic - diagnosis; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Large HBV surface protein; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms - diagnosis; Membrane Proteins; Middle HBV surface protein; Persistent Infection; Prognosis; Viral Load; MHB; HBeAg; LHB; HBsAg; HCC; SHB; Middle HBV surface protein; Large HBV surface protein; LC; NTCP; Hepatitis B virus; CHB; HBV; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
• ISSN: 0009-8981; 1873-3492
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117739

•Clarified the dynamic patterns of envelope proteins across different phases of HBV infection and distinct liver diseases.•Demonstrated that LHB and MHB serve as biomarkers for determining the optimal timing of antiviral treatment in CHB patients.•MHB/HBsAg serves as an independent factor for the progression of CHB patients to LC or HCC.
The significance of large (LHB) and middle (MHB) HBV surface proteins in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains uncertain. This study investigates the role of LHB and MHB in different infection phases and liver diseases.
Serum samples from 217 patients with HBV chronic infection, CHB, liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were subjected to quantification of LHB and MHB using ELISA.
Positive correlations were observed among LHB, MHB, and LHB/HBsAg, with HBV serum markers including HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA. (P < 0.0001). In HBeAg-positive chronic infection, LHB and MHB were higher than in HBeAg-positive CHB (P < 0.01). In HBeAg-negative chronic infection, LHB and MHB were lower than in HBeAg-negative CHB (P < 0.01). ROC analysis identified LHB and MHB as potential discriminators of CHB and chronic infection. LC and HCC exhibited lower LHB, MHB, and MHB/HBsAg than CHB (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis found that age and the MHB/HBsAg serve as independent factors for the progression of CHB to end stage of liver disease.
LHB and MHB emerge as novel biomarkers distinguishing chronic infection and CHB. MHB/HBsAg shows promise as a predictor for CHB progression.