Caspase-cleaved fragments of cytokeratin 18 in patients with chronic hepatitis B
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Published on: February 19, 2019
Fatih Eren1, Yusuf Yilmaz, Sukran Kose
1Institute of Gastroenterology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey, Maltepe, Istanbul 34840, Turkey.
Background:
During hepatocyte apoptosis, intermediate filament protein cytokeratin 18 is cleaved by caspases at Asp396 which can be specifically detected by the monoclonal antibody M30 (M30-antigen). In this study, we sought to determine whether serum M30-antigen levels can serve as a useful biomarker of liver injury in the clinical spectrum of HBV infection.
Methods:
Serum M30-antigen levels were measured in inactive HBV carriers (n=54), patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n=47), patients with HBeAg-positive CHB (n=42) and healthy controls (n=29). All subjects were treatment-naïve.
Results:
There were significant differences in serum M30-antigen levels across the study groups (P<0.001; Kruskal-Wallis test). Post hoc analyses revealed that M30-antigen levels did not differ significantly between inactive HBV carriers (median 109.6 U/L) and healthy controls (median 106.1 U/L). However, both patients with HBeAg-negative (CHB, median 182.9 U/L, P<0.001) and HBeAg-positive CHB (median 158.3 U/L, P<0.001) had significantly higher levels of M30-antigen compared with inactive HBV carriers.
Conclusions:
Hepatocyte apoptotic activity--as reflected by serum M30-antigen levels--is increased in chronic active hepatitis B, but is not associated with the HBeAg status. In contrast, apoptosis does not appear to be a prominent feature of inactive HBV carriers.
Insights
Serum M30-antigen levels indicate increased hepatocyte apoptosis in chronic active hepatitis B. These levels are not associated with HBeAg status but are significantly elevated compared to inactive HBV carriers and healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Hepatocyte apoptosis involves cytokeratin 18 cleavage detected by M30-antigen.
- Serum M30-antigen levels may indicate liver injury in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum M30-antigen levels as a biomarker for liver injury in HBV infection spectrum.
- To assess the association between M30-antigen levels and HBeAg status in chronic hepatitis B.
Main Methods:
- Serum M30-antigen levels were measured in treatment-naïve individuals.
- Study groups included inactive HBV carriers, HBeAg-negative CHB, HBeAg-positive CHB, and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in serum M30-antigen levels were observed across groups (P<0.001).
- Inactive HBV carriers and healthy controls showed similar M30-antigen levels.
- Patients with HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive CHB had significantly higher M30-antigen levels compared to inactive carriers (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Serum M30-antigen levels reflect increased hepatocyte apoptotic activity in chronic active hepatitis B.
- Apoptosis is not a prominent feature in inactive HBV carriers.
- HBeAg status does not correlate with M30-antigen levels in chronic hepatitis B.
