HBV PreS/S gene mutations in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Progressive liver disease in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a significant health concern.
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) PreS/S gene variants are implicated in CHB pathogenesis.
• Understanding the relationship between HBV genetic variations and liver histopathology is crucial for predicting disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between HBV PreS/S gene variations and liver histopathology.
• To identify specific HBV PreS/S mutations linked to advanced liver fibrosis in CHB patients.

Main Methods:

• Genomic DNA was extracted from 109 CHB patients.
• The HBV PreS/S gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced via Sanger sequencing.
• Amino acid substitutions, nonsense mutations, and deletions were analyzed against liver fibrosis stages.

Main Results:

• A high mutation rate (14.9%) was observed across the HBV PreS/S gene, with the PreS2 region showing the highest frequency (27.27%).
• Mutations L54P (PreS1), F130L/S (PreS2), S207R/N/I/T, and I208T (S gene) were significantly more common in patients with advanced fibrosis (F≥3).
• The S207R/N/I/T mutation was identified as an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis, and PreS2 mutations correlated with higher fibrosis scores.

Conclusions:

• The S207R/N/I/T mutation in the HBV S protein is independently associated with liver fibrosis progression in CHB.
• PreS/S gene variations, particularly within the PreS2 region, play a role in the development and progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.