Scientific Research
Expression and clinical significance of Th17/Treg cytokines, VEGF, and GP73 in HBV-infected patients
Yang Yongwei, Chen Xilian, Qu Renliang, Zhang Shuai, Liu Youde, Zou Zhiqiang, Li Caidong
Published 2021-12-01
Cite as IMHGN, 2021, 27(23): 3639-3643. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-1245.2021.23.010
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the value and clinical significance of the expressions of Th17/Treg associated cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)], Golgi protein 73 (GP73), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in peripheral blood in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and to analyze the correlation of cytokines with GP73 and VEGF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with HBV infection treated at Qishan (Infectious Disease) Hospital from September 2017 to May 2020 were selected as the study objects, including 76 males and 38 females. They were (43.38±12.72) years old. The patients were divided into a chronic hepatitis B (CHB) group (51 cases), a liver cirrhosis (LC) group (31 cases), and a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group. Forty healthy examinees from the same period were selected as a control group, including 25 males and 15 females, and they were (39.15±14.95) years old. The cytokine, VEGF, and GP73 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A Welch analysis of variance was used for the comparison of normally distributed continuous data with heterogeneity of variance between the groups. The Games-Howell test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between the groups.The chi square test was used for the comparison of categorical data between the groups. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation.
ResultsThe levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and HBV DNA in the patients with HBV infection were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). The serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-10, TGF-β, GP73, and VEGF in the patients with HBV infection were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). VEGF was positively correlated with IL-17 and IL-10 in the HCC group (r=0.247 and 0.286; both P＜0.05).
ConclusionsTh17/Treg associated cytokines, VEGF, and GP73 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Dynamic monitoring of these serum indicators can provide evidence-based guidance for the clinical assessment of chronic HBV infection status and prognostic judgment.
Key words:
Hepatitis B virus; Th17/Treg; Cytokines; GP73; VEGF; Clinical relevance
Contributor Information
Yang Yongwei
Clinical Laboratory, Qishan (Infectious Disease) Hospital, Yantai 264001, China
Chen Xilian
Clinical Laboratory, Qishan (Infectious Disease) Hospital, Yantai 264001, China
Qu Renliang
Clinical Laboratory, Qishan (Infectious Disease) Hospital, Yantai 264001, China
Zhang Shuai
Clinical Laboratory, Qishan (Infectious Disease) Hospital, Yantai 264001, China
Liu Youde
Clinical Laboratory, Qishan (Infectious Disease) Hospital, Yantai 264001, China
Zou Zhiqiang
Clinical Laboratory, Qishan (Infectious Disease) Hospital, Yantai 264001, China
Li Caidong
Institute of Hepatology, The Second People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou 730046, China
