HLA-E polymorphism and soluble HLA-E plasma levels in chronic hepatitis B patients

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hepatology
• Genetics

Background:

• Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection involves immune system dysregulation.
• Human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E), an immune-tolerant molecule, may play a role in CHB progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify soluble HLA-E (sHLA-E) levels in CHB patients.
• To investigate the association between the HLA-E*01:01/01:03 A > G gene polymorphism and CHB.
• To explore the relationship between sHLA-E, viral load, and fibrosis stage in CHB.

Main Methods:

• Plasma sHLA-E was measured using ELISA in 93 Tunisian CHB patients and 245 healthy donors.
• HLA-E*01:01/01:03 A > G gene polymorphism was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer.
• Patients were stratified by HBV DNA levels and fibrosis stage.

Main Results:

• sHLA-E levels were significantly higher in CHB patients compared to controls (P = 0.0017).
• CHB patients with low HBV DNA levels exhibited higher sHLA-E than those with high viral loads.
• Elevated sHLA-E was observed in CHB patients with advanced fibrosis (P = 0.032).
• The G/G genotype of the HLA-E polymorphism was associated with enhanced sHLA-E levels (P = 0.037), particularly in women (P = 0.042).

Conclusions:

• This study establishes an association between sHLA-E and CHB for the first time.
• The HLA-E polymorphism and elevated sHLA-E in advanced fibrosis suggest HLA-E's potential as a predictive marker for CHB progression.
• Further research is warranted to confirm HLA-E's role as a clinical biomarker for CHB.