Serum ficolin-2 concentrations are significantly changed in patients with hepatitis B virus infection and liver diseases

Virol Sin. 2015 Aug;30(4):249-60. doi: 10.1007/s12250-015-3605-4. Epub 2015 Jul 23.

Abstract

Human ficolin-2 is an important lectin complement pathway activator that is secreted from liver cells and has been implicated as an anti-infection innate immune molecule. However, the role of ficolin-2 protein and its dynamic changes over the course of and in the prognosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed ficolin-2 protein expression in a cohort of individuals with CHB infection, HCC and cirrhosis. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure serum ficolin-2 concentrations. Ficolin-2 expression in liver tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Serum ficolin-2 concentrations in CHB patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls and HBV carriers. After 48 weeks of routine amelioration liver function treatment, serum ficolin-2 concentrations decreased and were positively correlated with favorable alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA and HBeAg-seroconversion outcomes. Interestingly, we observed much lower expression of serum and intrahepatic ficolin-2 in HCC and cirrhosis compared with healthy controls. Our findings suggest that serum and intrahepatic ficolin-2 levels may be considered one of the indicators for the response of chronic HBV infection, HCC and cirrhosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Ficolins
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lectins / blood*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Serum / chemistry*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Lectins