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[Changes in intrahepatic localization of hepatitis B core antigen and histological activity in chronic active
The intrahepatic distribution of HBcAg and evaluation of the histological outcome using a numerical scoring system of Histological Activity Index (HAI) by Knodell et al, were studied in paired liver biopsy specimens from 14 HBeAg-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis B before and after interferon (IFN) treatment. Intrahepatic HBcAg was detected by immunoperoxidase technique and the pattern of HBcAg expression were present in the hepatocyte nucleus (nHBcAg) or cytoplasm (cHBcAg) or in both. Before treatment, intrahepatic HBcAg was distributed both in the nucleus and cytoplasm without significant differences. After treatment, nHBcAg expression however, decreased significantly (p less than 0.001), while cHBcAg remained unchanged or rather increased. These changes of nHBcAg and cHBcAg before and after IFN treatment were observed irrespective of disappearance or presence of DNA-P and/or HBeAg in serum after IFN treatment. The HIA scores decreased significantly (0.05 less than P less than 0.001) after treatment. These findings above suggest that the intrahepatic HBcAg may shift from nucleus to cytoplasm in chronic active hepatitis B during IFN treatment.
The intrahepatic distribution of HBcAg and evaluation of the histological outcome using a numerical scoring system of Histological Activity Index (HAI) by Knodell et al, were studied in paired liver biopsy specimens from 14 HBeAg-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis B before and after interferon (IFN) treatment. Intrahepatic HBcAg was detected by immunoperoxidase technique and the pattern of HBcAg expression were present in the hepatocyte nucleus (nHBcAg) or cytoplasm (cHBcAg) or in both. Before treatment, intrahepatic HBcAg was distributed both in the nucleus and cytoplasm without significant differences. After treatment, nHBcAg expression however, decreased significantly (p less than 0.001), while cHBcAg remained unchanged or rather increased. These changes of nHBcAg and cHBcAg before and after IFN treatment were observed irrespective of disappearance or presence of DNA-P and/or HBeAg in serum after IFN treatment. The HIA scores decreased significantly (0.05 less than P less than 0.001) after treatment. These findings above suggest that the intrahepatic HBcAg may shift from nucleus to cytoplasm in chronic active hepatitis B during IFN treatment.