Pathway to global elimination of hepatitis B: HBV cure is just the first step.

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, and the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. Significant advances have recently been made toward the development of a finite HBV treatment that achieves permanent loss of HBsAg and HBV DNA (so-called "HBV cure"), which could provide the means to eliminate HBV as a public health threat. However, the HBV cure is just one step toward achieving WHO HBV elimination targets by 2030, and much work must be done now to prepare for the successful implementation of the HBV cure. In this review, we describe the required steps to rapidly scale-up future HBV cure equitably. We present key actions required for successful HBV cure implementation, integrated within the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) 2022-2030 framework. Finally, we highlight what can be done now to progress toward the 2030 HBV elimination targets using available tools to ensure that we are preparing, but not waiting, for the cure.

Prevention, Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Hepatitis C in Chronic Kidney Disease: Synopsis of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline.

DESCRIPTION: The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2022 clinical practice guideline on prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hepatitis C in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an update of the 2018 guideline from KDIGO. METHODS: The KDIGO Work Group (WG) updated the guideline, which included reviewing and grading new evidence that was identified and summarized. As in the previous guideline, the WG used the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach to appraise evidence and rate the strength of recommendations and used expert judgment to develop recommendations. New evidence led to updating of recommendations in the chapters on treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with CKD (Chapter 2), management of HCV infection before and after kidney transplant (Chapter 4), and diagnosis and management of kidney disease associated with HCV infection (Chapter 5). Recommendations in chapters on detection and evaluation of hepatitis C in CKD (Chapter 1) and prevention of HCV transmission in hemodialysis units (Chapter 3) were not updated because of an absence of significant new evidence. RECOMMENDATIONS: The 2022 updated guideline includes 43 graded recommendations and 20 ungraded recommendations, 7 of which are new or modified on the basis of the most recent evidence and consensus among the WG members. The updated guidelines recommend expanding treatment of hepatitis C with sofosbuvir-based regimens to patients with CKD glomerular filtration rate categories G4 and G5, including those receiving dialysis; expanding the donor pool for kidney transplant recipients by accepting HCV-positive kidneys regardless of the recipient's HCV status; and initiating direct-acting antiviral treatment of HCV-infected patients with clinical evidence of glomerulonephritis without requiring kidney biopsy. The update also addresses the use of immunosuppressive regimens in such patients.

Executive Summary of the KDIGO 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention, Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Hepatitis C in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has adverse liver, kidney, and cardiovascular consequences in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those on dialysis therapy or with a kidney transplant. Since the publication of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) HCV Guideline in 2018, advances in HCV management, particularly in the field of antiviral therapy and treatment of HCV-associated glomerular diseases, coupled with increased usage of HCV-positive kidney grafts, have prompted a reexamination of the 2018 guideline. As a result, the Work Group performed a comprehensive review and revised the 2018 guidance. This Executive Summary highlights key aspects of the updated guideline recommendations for 3 chapters: Chapter 2: Treatment of HCV infection in patients with CKD; Chapter 4: Management of HCV-infected patients before and after kidney transplantation; and Chapter 5: Diagnosis and management of kidney diseases associated with HCV infection.

Hepatitis B virus DNA methylation and its potential role in chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection led to 66% liver deaths world-wide in year 2015. Thirty-seven per cent of these deaths were the result of chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although early diagnosis of HCC improves survival, early detection is rare. Methylation of HBV DNA including covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is more often encountered in HCC cases than those in CHB and cirrhosis. Three typical CpG islands within the HBV genome are the common sites for methylation. The HBV cccDNA methylation affects the viral replication and protein expression in the course of infection and may associate with the disease pathogenesis and HCC development. We review the current findings in HBV DNA methylation that provide insights into its role in HCC diagnosis.

Contextual and individual factors associated with knowledge, awareness and attitude on liver diseases: A large-scale Asian study.

There are limited data to provide better understanding of the knowledge/awareness of general population towards liver health in Asia. We sought to identify the knowledge gaps and attitudes towards liver health and liver diseases as well as evaluate associated individual-level and macro-level factors based on contextual analysis. An online survey assessing knowledge, awareness and attitudes towards liver health and disease was conducted among 7500 respondents across 11 countries/territories in Asia. A liver index was created to measure the respondents' knowledge level and the degree of awareness and attitudes. Multilevel logistic regression was performed to identify individual factors and contextual effects that were associated with liver index. The overall liver index (0-100-point scale) was 62.4 with 6 countries/territories' liver indices greater than this. In the multilevel model, the inclusion of geographical information could explain for 9.6% of the variation. Residing in a country/territory with higher HBV prevalence (80% IOR: 1.20-2.79) or higher HCV death rate (80% IOR: 1.35-3.13) increased the individual probability of obtaining a high overall liver index. Individual factors like age, gender, education, household income, disease history and health screening behaviour were also associated with liver index (all p-values<0.001). The overall liver index was positively associated with the two macro-level factors viz. HBV prevalence and HCV death rate. There is a need to formulate policies especially in regions of lower HBV prevalence and HCV death rate to further improve the knowledge, awareness and attitudes of the general public towards liver diseases.

Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells: Diplomatic Front-Runners in the Fight against Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a unique subset of innate-like T cells that bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. MAIT cells act like a 'biliary firewall' protecting the epithelial lining of the liver against pathogenic intruders. MAIT1 and MAIT17 subsets respond rapidly to pathogenic presence both in the liver as well as in the peripheral circulation. In addition to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, MAIT cells also appear to serve as potential therapeutic targets in several other chronic ailments. Evidence indicates that MAIT cells have tissue repair functions also paving way for fibrotic changes during chronic HBV infection. Observations also suggest that HBV-hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infection disease progression is closely associated with loss of MAIT cells. Furthermore, reduction in the number of hepatic MAIT cells in patients with cirrhotic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and HBV-associated primary liver cancer has also been reported. Given their concrete role against HBV disease progression, and has also become evident that the tumor microenvironment can cause functional impairment of MAIT cells. Here, we reviewed the protective and the pathological role of MAIT cells in chronic HBV infection and certain other related medical conditions based on the understanding that an optimal functioning of the MAIT cell arsenal is key to a "host-friendly" immune defense against HBV disease progression.

Association of deleted in liver cancer-1 gene polymorphism with increased risk of chronicity of disease among Malaysian patients with hepatitis B infection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the association between genetic variations in deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) gene with progression of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: A total of 623 subjects were included in this study, of whom, 423 were chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients without liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 103 CHB with either liver cirrhosis ± HCC and 97 individuals who had resolved HBV. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs3739298 and rs532841 of DLC1 gene were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. RESULTS: Our results indicated significant differences between the chronic HBV and resolved HBV groups in genotype and allele frequencies of DLC1-rs3739298 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-3.99; P = 0.007] and (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.07-2.22; P = 0.021), respectively. Moreover, haplotype analysis revealed significant associations between chronicity of HBV with TG and GA haplotypes (P = 0.041 and P = 0.042), respectively. CONCLUSION: A significant association exists between the rs3739298 variant and susceptibility to CHB infection.

Comparative expression of pro-inflammatory and apoptotic biosignatures in chronic HBV-infected patients with and without liver cirrhosis.

The interplay of immune mediators is paramount to optimal host anti-viral immune responses, especially against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Here, we investigated the dynamic changes in host immune responses in chronic HBV-infected individuals with and without liver cirrhosis by examining the signatures of apoptosis and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cytotoxic proteins. A total of 40 chronic HBV patients with and without liver cirrhosis were studied for plasma levels of immune mediators, and signatures of apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The intracellular concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in patients with chronic HBV with liver cirrhosis was relatively higher as compared to chronic HBV patients. The onset of apoptosis was sustained due to ongoing liver inflammation in concert with plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Plasma VEGF was upregulated among chronic HBV patients with liver cirrhosis, whereas CCL2, CCL5 and granzyme B levels were down-regulated. High levels of ROS, IL-6 and TNF-α correlated with ongoing inflammation among chronic HBV patients with liver cirrhosis, which likely attributed to the expression of biosignatures of apoptosis and activation in immune cells.

Chronic inflammation involves CCL11 and IL-13 to facilitate the development of liver cirrhosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

The pathogenesis involving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the context of chronic HBV (CHB) virus infection requires to be understood for developing improved modalities of diagnosis and treatment. We retrospectively investigated the association between NAFLD and CHB virus infection in the context of liver fibrosis. Among the 522 consecutive CHB patients who underwent transient elastography between years 2013 and 2016, we studied 455 subjects in the current investigation. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) scores were generally higher in patients with steatosis and fibrosis or cirrhosis. Antiviral treatment had significantly reduced the hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral load. Other liver function markers showed a significant positive correlation with both CAP and LSM scores. Plasma IL-13 was independently associated with increased CAP score where every increase of 1 unit of IL-13 was associated with an increase in CAP score by 0.98 unit. CCL11 was independently associated with LSM with every increase of CCL11 by a unit that, in turn, was associated with an increase of LSM score. We found that there was a high concurrence of NAFLD among patients with CHB virus infection. The presence of metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation in CHB virus-infected patients were two independent factors that led to the progression of liver cirrhosis, with IL-13 playing the key role in linking the metabolic with the inflammatory components.

Hepatitis C virus core antigen as alternative diagnostic algorithm for active hepatitis C virus infection among haemodialysis population: Cost implications.

AIMS: In Malaysia, majority anti-HCV positive haemodialysis patients do not undergo hepatitis C confirmation due to the high cost of HCV RNA. HCV Core Antigen might be a cost-effective diagnostic test to identify HD patients who have active HCV infection eligible for Direct Acting Anti-viral therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the correlation between HCV Ag and HCV RNA and the cost implications of different diagnostic algorithms to diagnose active HCV infection using Anti-HCV, HCV Ag, and HCV RNA. Pre-dialysis blood was tested for both HCV Ag and HCV RNA. HCV Ag was tested with Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag test. RESULTS: Two-hundred twenty-seven haemodialysis patients were recruited from 20 centres with mean age of 57.68 ± 12.48 years, and male constitutes 56.8% (129) of the study population. HCV Ag correlated well with HCV RNA (Spearman test coefficient 0.943, p < .001) with sensitivity of 93.9%, specificity 99.3%, and the accuracy was 97.36%. Cost analysis indicated that a sequential test involving Anti-HCV antibody as initial screening, followed by HCV Ag on Anti-HCV positive and HCV RNA on HCV Ag negative cases translated to a modest cost-saving algorithm compared to standard diagnostic algorithm. CONCLUSION: HCV Ag correlated well with HCV RNA and can potentially be fused in an alternative diagnostic algorithm to generate cost savings methods to diagnose active HCV infection among haemodialysis patients. This alternative algorithm is especially relevant in low to middle-income countries such as Malaysia to optimize the use of the healthcare resource and gains in clinical outcomes.

Fatty liver is associated with advanced fibrosis but does not predict adverse outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatic steatosis is increasingly common and has been implicated in progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. We aimed to investigate the impact of hepatic steatosis on liver fibrosis and clinical outcomes in CHB patients. Consecutive CHB patients who underwent transient elastography between 2013 and 2017 at a tertiary hospital were included in this longitudinal cohort study. Presence of hepatic steatosis was defined as controlled attenuation parameter, CAP ≥ 248 dB/m, while advanced liver fibrosis was defined as liver stiffness measurement, LSM ≥ 9.4 kPa. Cardiovascular events, liver-related complications, malignancy and mortality and a composite of these outcomes were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. Our study cohort included 614 patients with median follow-up of 45 (32-63) months. Hepatic steatosis was present in 294 patients (47.9%), and advanced liver fibrosis was present in 127 patients (21.0%). Presence of hepatic steatosis (OR: 1.956, 95% CI: 1.250-3.060) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.507, 95% CI: 2.069-5.944) was independently associated with advanced fibrosis. Advanced fibrosis was independently associated with composite outcome (HR: 2.496, 95% CI: 1.352-4.606), liver-related complications (HR: 3.765, 95% CI: 1.380-10.271) and mortality (HR: 3.632, 95% CI: 1.342-9.826), but not cardiovascular events and malignancy. Hepatic steatosis was not associated with any adverse outcomes. We conclude that hepatic steatosis is common and associated with advanced fibrosis in CHB patients. Unlike advanced fibrosis, hepatic steatosis does not predict adverse outcomes in CHB patients.

Asian consensus recommendations on optimizing the diagnosis and initiation of treatment of hepatitis B virus infection in resource-limited settings.

Asia has an intermediate-to-high prevalence of and high morbidity and mortality from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Optimization of diagnosis and initiation of treatment is one of the crucial strategies for lowering disease burden in this region. Therefore, a panel of 24 experts from 10 Asian countries convened, and reviewed the literature, to develop consensus guidance on diagnosis and initiation of treatment of HBV infection in resource-limited Asian settings. The panel proposed 11 recommendations related to diagnosis, pre-treatment assessment, and indications of therapy of HBV infection, and management of HBV-infected patients with co-infections. In resource-limited Asian settings, testing for hepatitis B surface antigen may be considered as the primary test for diagnosis of HBV infection. Pre-treatment assessments should include tests for complete blood count, liver and renal function, hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), anti-HBe, HBV DNA, co-infection markers and assessment of severity of liver disease. Noninvasive tests such as AST-to-platelet ratio index, fibrosis score 4 or transient elastography may be used as alternatives to liver biopsy for assessing disease severity. Considering the high burden of HBV infection in Asia, the panel adopted an aggressive approach, and recommended initiation of antiviral therapy in all HBV-infected, compensated or decompensated cirrhotic individuals with detectable HBV DNA levels, regardless of HBeAg status or alanine transaminase levels. The panel also developed a simple algorithm for guiding the initiation of treatment in noncirrhotic, HBV-infected individuals. The recommendations proposed herein, may help guide clinicians, to optimize the diagnosis and improvise the treatment rates for HBV infection in Asia.

Allele HLA-DQB1*06 reduces fibrosis score in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

AIM: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) regions were highlighted as important genetic markers for various liver diseases by hepatology-related genome-wide association studies. Replication studies in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited and none has investigated the association of HLA alleles with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other histological characteristics. In the current study, we examined the association of HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles with NAFLD spectrum and its histological characteristics. METHODS: Consecutive biopsy-proven NAFLD patients (n = 191) and healthy controls (n = 188) were enrolled and genotyped for HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles using the sequence-specific oligonucleotide-polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: No association was found between the HLA alleles and NAFLD or NASH in a case-control setting. Nevertheless, among NAFLD patients, the frequency of HLA-DQB1*06 allele was significantly the lowest in NASH with significant fibrosis (10.4%) and approximately similar for NASH without significant fibrosis (22.9%) and NAFL (22.5%) (P = 0.004). It is noteworthy that the association remains significant after correction for multiple comparisons (Pc = 0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed that HLA-DQB1*06 allele is also associated with fibrosis score (P = 0.001); the result remains significant after correction for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that HLA-DQB1*06 is associated with lower fibrosis score in NAFLD patients.

Hepatitis C core antigen testing to diagnose active hepatitis C infection among haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects more than 71 million people worldwide and chronic HCV infection increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and failure. Haemodialysis (HD) is one of the renal replacement therapies with risk of HCV transmission. Anti-HCV antibodies are the serological screening test for HCV infection that does not detect active phase of infection. Majority HCV infected HD patients in Malaysia do not have further HCV RNA performed due to high cost and thus HCV treatment is less frequently offered. HCV Core Antigen (HCV Ag) can potentially be used to diagnose active HCV infection in HD population in comparison to HCV RNA, at lower cost. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the correlation between HCV Ag and HCV RNA and to identify the prevalence of active HCV infection among HCV seropositive HD patients from dialysis centres across West Malaysia from July 2019 to May 2020. Pre-dialysis blood was taken and tested for both HCV Ag and HCV RNA tests. HCV Ag was tested with Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag test. RESULTS: We recruited 112 seropositive HD patients from 17 centres with mean age of 54.04 ± 11.62 years, HD vintage of 14.1 ± 9.7 years, and male constitute 59.8% (67) of the study population. HCV Ag correlates well with HCV RNA (Spearman test coefficient 0.833, p < 0.001). The sensitivity was 90.7%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) 76.5%, and accuracy 92.9%. For HCV RNA level > 3000 IU/mL, HCV Ag had a higher sensitivity of 95.1% and greater correlation (Spearman test coefficient 0.897, p < 0.001). The prevalence of active HCV infection was 76.8% among HCV seropositive HD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although HCV Ag is less sensitive, it shows an excellent correlation with HCV RNA and has 100% PPV. HCV Ag can be considered as an alternative diagnostic tool for chronic active HCV infection among HD cohort, who can then be considered for HCV treatment. For seropositive HD patient with negative HCV Ag, we recommend to follow-up with HCV RNA test.

Estimating the Population Size of People Who Inject Drugs in Malaysia for 2014 and 2017 Using the Benchmark-Multiplier Method.

Background: As hepatitis C elimination efforts are launched, national strategies for screening and treatment scale-up in countries, such as Malaysia, must be designed and implemented. Strategic information, including estimates of the total number of patients chronically-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the size of key populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID), is critical to informing these efforts. For Malaysia, the estimate of the PWID population size most frequently reported in global systematic reviews is for the year 2009. Objectives: To support ongoing national HCV planning efforts, we aimed to estimate the national population size of active PWID in Malaysia, for the years 2014 and 2017. Methods: To estimate the PWID population size, we applied standard benchmark-multiplier methodology, frequently used for PWID population size estimation, and extended it by adjusting for cessation of injecting drug use within the benchmark and calculating statistical uncertainty intervals. Results: The estimated active PWID population size was 153,000 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 136,000-172,000) for 2014 and 156,000 (95% UI: 137,000-188,000) for 2017. Conclusions/importance: This updated estimate of the active PWID population size in Malaysia will help inform effective planning for the scale-up of HCV screening and treatment services. The proposed methodology is applicable to other countries that maintain national HIV registries and have conducted Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveys among active PWID.

Innovative strategies for the elimination of viral hepatitis at a national level: A country case series.

Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but has long been neglected by national and international policymakers. Recent modelling studies suggest that investing in the global elimination of viral hepatitis is feasible and cost-effective. In 2016, all 194 member states of the World Health Organization endorsed the goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, but complex systemic and social realities hamper implementation efforts. This paper presents eight case studies from a diverse range of countries that have invested in responses to viral hepatitis and adopted innovative approaches to tackle their respective epidemics. Based on an investment framework developed to build a global investment case for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, national activities and key enablers are highlighted that showcase the feasibility and impact of concerted hepatitis responses across a range of settings, with different levels of available resources and infrastructural development. These case studies demonstrate the utility of taking a multipronged, public health approach to: (a) evidence-gathering and planning; (b) implementation; and (c) integration of viral hepatitis services into the Agenda for Sustainable Development. They provide models for planning, investment and implementation strategies for other countries facing similar challenges and resource constraints.

Findings from a large Asian chronic hepatitis C real-life study.

There is a paucity of information on chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with direct antiviral agents (DAAs) in Asia. We invited Asia-Pacific physicians to collate databases of patients enrolled for CHC treatment, recording baseline clinical, virologic and biochemical characteristics, sustained virologic response at week 12 (SVR12) and virologic failure. SVR12 outcome was based on intention to treat (ITT). Multivariate analysis was used to assess independent risk factors for SVR12 using SPSS version 20. A total of 2171 patients from India (n = 977), Myanmar (n = 552), Pakistan (n = 406), Thailand (n = 139), Singapore (n = 72) and Malaysia (n = 25) were collected. At baseline, mean age was 49 years, 50.2% were males, and 41.8% had cirrhosis. Overall, SVR12 was 89.5% and by genotype (GT) based on ITT and treatment completion, respectively, was 91% and 92% for GT1, 100% and 100% for GT2, 91% and 97% for GT3, 64% and 95% for GT4, 87% and 87% for GT6 and 79% and 91% for GT untested. Patients with cirrhosis had SVR12 of 85% vs 93% for noncirrhosis (P < 0.001) (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.1, P = 0.0002). Patients with GT1 and GT3 treated with sofosbuvir/ribavirin (SR) had 88% and 89% SVR12, respectively, but those GT6 treated with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SL) had only 77.6% SVR12. Multivariate analysis showed absence of cirrhosis was associated with higher SVR12 (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.1, P = 0.002). In conclusion, patients with GT1 and GT3 with/without cirrhosis had surprisingly high efficacy using SR, suggesting that Asians may respond better to some DAAs. However, poor GT6 response to SL suggests this regimen is suboptimal for this genotype.

CD8+ T cells of chronic HCV-infected patients express multiple negative immune checkpoints following stimulation with HCV peptides.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are key to successful viral clearance in HCV disease. Accumulation of exhausted HCV-specific T cells during chronic infection results in considerable loss of protective functional immune responses. The role of T-cell exhaustion in chronic HCV disease remains poorly understood. Here, we studied the frequency of HCV peptide-stimulated T cells expressing negative immune checkpoints (PD-1, CTLA-4, TRAIL, TIM-3 and BTLA) by flow cytometry, and measured the levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines secreted by T cells by a commercial Multi-Analyte ELISArray™ following in vitro stimulation of T cells using HCV peptides and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). HCV peptide-stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of chronic HCV (CHC) patients showed significant increase of CTLA-4. Furthermore, HCV peptide-stimulated CD4+ T cells of CHC patients also displayed relatively higher levels of PD-1 and TRAIL, whereas TIM-3 was up-regulated on HCV peptide-stimulated CD8+ T cells. Whereas the levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß1 were significantly increased, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, TNF-α, IL-17A and IL-6 were markedly decreased in the T cell cultures of CHC patients. Chronic HCV infection results in functional exhaustion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells likely contributing to viral persistence.

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene rs7946 polymorphism plays a role in risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: evidence from meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) governs the secretion of hepatic triglycerides in the form of very low-density lipoprotein and has been implicated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Studies on the role of the PEMT rs7946 polymorphism as a genetic modifier of NAFLD have reported inconsistent results. This meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate and summarize the association of PEMT rs7946 with susceptibility to NAFLD. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search in Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Science Direct and Google Scholar was performed up to 31 August 2015, followed by data extraction and examination of summary estimates. RESULTS: Six independent studies with a total of 792 NAFLD cases and 2722 controls fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Pooled results indicated that the rs7946 A-allele was associated significantly with an increased risk of NAFLD [odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-2.11, P=0.005]. A significant association was also found in alternative genetic models of inheritance: dominant, recessive and homozygote (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.10-2.39, P=0.01; OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12-1.81, P=0.003; and OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.18-2.29, P=0.004, respectively). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity indicated a significant association only in the East-Asians in the additive (OR=2.08, 95% CI 1.12-3.86, P=0.02), recessive (OR=2.94, 95% CI 1.60-5.37, P=0.0005) and homozygote (OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.15-3.01, P=0.01) models. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of a significant association between the PEMT rs7946 A-allele and a risk of NAFLD, with the effect being more prominent in East-Asians, but not in non-Asians.

Association between microRNA-196A2 and microRNA-146A polymorphisms and progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND/AIM: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that have been implicated in mechanisms underlying various types of cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reports have indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms in miRNA-196A2 and miRNA-146A genes may contribute to the risk of progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection to cirrhosis and HCC. This study aimed to examine the effect of miRNA-196A2 and miRNA-146A polymorphisms on the progression of HBV infection to cirrhosis and/or HCC in HBV patients in the Malaysian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study consists of 423 chronic HBV patients without either cirrhosis or HCC and 103 chronic HBV patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or with cirrhosis and HCC. The single nucleotide polymorphisms of miRNA-196A2 (rs12304647 and rs11614913) and miRNA-146A (rs2910164) were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. RESULTS: The genotype distribution in chronic HBV without either cirrhosis or HCC, relative to chronic HBV patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or with cirrhosis and HCC revealed that rs12304647 has a protective effect from the development of HCC (odds ratio=0.37, 95% confidence interval=0.15-0.89, P=0.027). However, rs11614913 and rs2910164 were not significantly associated with progression of the HBV infection. CONCLUSION: In summary, rs12304647 is associated with a reduced risk of progression to HCC in patients with chronic HBV infection.