OBJECTIVETo study the changes of genomic density polymorphism, quantitative expression and the adhesion activity of complement receptor type 1 (ECR1) on erythrocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Hind restriction enzyme digestion, the quantitative assay of ECR1 and the activity of erythrocytes immune adhesion test were applied.

RESULTSThe spot mutation rate (25.0%-30.3%) of ECR1 density gene in patients with chronic hepatitis was not significantly different from that of healthy individuals (28.0%). The amount of ECR1 in patients with chronic hepatitis, except for the diseases with normal liver function, was significantly lower than that of healthy individuals (t=9.87,P<0.000 1). The quantitative expression of ECR1 in decompensated cirrhosis was obviously lower than that of compensated cirrhosis (t=2.21,P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDefective expression of ECR1 in chronic hepatitis B may be acquired through central and/or peripheral mechanisms. It is very important to study the quantitative expression in the patients with chronic hepatitis.

Erythrocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Complement ; analysis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tissue Adhesions