No abstract available.
DNA, Circular/*analysis ; Female ; Hepatitis B/*pathology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*genetics ; Hepatitis B virus/*metabolism ; Humans ; Male

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To establish an in vitro model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and expression in primary rat hepatocytes (PRH) transfected with circular viral DNA for further study on the interaction of HBV with hepatocytes.

<b>METHODSb>Circular viral DNA containing complete HBV genome were transfected into PRH by electroporation (transfected group, about 4mug of circular viral DNA/1 10(7)cells). From day 1 to day 10 after transfection, HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatants and lysates of PRH were measured with IMX system. HBcAg was assayed with western blotting, immunol dot blotting and immunocytochemistry. Meanwhile, HBV S-mRNA and X-mRNA were tested with RT-PCR, and replicative intermediates of HBV DNA were analyzed by southern blotting and dot blotting. Moreover, Transmission electron microscopy was used if viral particles were produced in transfected rat hepatocytes. PRH electroporated only was used as control group.

<b>RESULTSb>(1) Viral antigen production in transfected rat hepatocytes: HBsAg in cell lysates was positive. P/N values ranged from 4.83 to 85.69, and could be maintained for 10 days after transfection. The average P/N values was 18.239 27.459. Whereas, HBsAg was negative in the supernatants of transfected group (P/N values, negative<2.1). HBeAg in the supernatants and lysates of transfected hepatocytes all was negative (P/N values<2.1) during 10 days following transfection. HBcAg was only found positive in transfected hepatocytes by immunol dot blotting. (2) Detection of viral transcripts: transcription of HBV DNA was investigated by preparing total RNA from rat hepatocytes 2 days after transfection and looking for S-mRNA and X-mRNA by RT-PCR. Results showed S-mRNA positive, X-mRNA negative. (3) HBV DNA replication analysis: intracellular total DNA was extracted 2 days after transfection and analysed by southern blotting. All replicative DNA intermediates, including relaxed circular (rcDNA), covalently closed circular (cccDNA), and single-stranded (ssDNA) linear HBV DNA forms, were indicated. Dot blotting showed intracellular HBV DNA positive in transfected group during 10 days after transfection. However, viral particles were not found in transfected hepatocytes during 3 days after transfection.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>Circular HBV DNA transfected into primary adult rat hepatocytes could obtain continuous replication and stable expression of HBV surface antigen. This in vitro model has high reproducibility and stability, and is useful for directly studying the interaction of HBV with hepatocytes.

Animals ; DNA Replication ; DNA, Circular ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatocytes ; virology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transfection ; Virus Replication

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Occult HBV infection is characterized by the presence of HBV infection with undetectable HBsAg. This study was carried out to find out the frequency of HBV infection in HBsAg- negative patients. METHODS: Fifty-six HBsAg-negative patients including 17 anti-HCV positive patients were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to their serological status; group A (anti-HBc+, anti-HBs-, n=16), B (anti-HBc+, anti-HBs+, n=26), and C (anti-HBc-, anti-HBs+/-, n=14). DNA was extracted from frozen liver biopsy specimen, and HBV DNA level was measured with real-time PCR. RESULTS: Overall frequency of detectable intrahepatic HBV DNA was 34% (19/56). The frequency was 56% (9/16) in group A, 31% (8/26) in group B and 14% (2/14) in group C (P=0.01). Intrahepatic HBV DNA levels were as follows; 2,010 +/- 6,660 copies/mg in group A, 6,180 +/- 29,530 copies/mg in group B and 350 +/- 1,220 copies/mg in group C. The frequency of occult HBV infection was not increased in anti-HCV positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intrahepatic HBV DNA is frequently detected in anti-HBc positive, HBsAg-negative patients, although the concentration is low.
Middle Aged ; Male ; Liver/*virology ; Humans ; Hepatitis B virus/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*analysis ; Hepatitis B/*diagnosis/immunology/virology ; Female ; DNA, Viral/*analysis ; Aged ; Adult

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To quantitatively detect intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and serum HBsAg; and to analyze the relationship between the two parameters and with serum HBV DNA level.

<b>METHODSb>Intrahepatic cccDNA (copies/cell) was quantitated by plasmid-safe ATP-dependent Danes (PSAD) digestion in combination with rolling circle amplification and gap-spanning selective real-time PCR assay using formalin fixed paraffin-embedded liver biopsy samples. HBsAg was measured by chemiluminescence's reagent manufactured by Abbott Company using sera sampled at time-point of liver biopsy.

<b>RESULTSb>Intrahepatic cccDNA level was positively correlated with serum HBsAg level (r = 0.459, P < 0.001), but not correlated with serum HBV DNA level. Serum HBsAg level was positively correlated with serum HBV DNA level (r = 0.328, P = 0.015), and reversely correlated with HBV replicative efficiency defined as the ratio of serum HBV DNA to cccDNA (r = -0.373, P = 0.005).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>In patients with chronic hepatitis B, intrahepatic cccDNA level is correlated with serum HBsAg level. The two parameters combined with serum HBV DNA may comprehensively reflect HBV replication activity and help evaluation of antiviral therapeutic efficacy.

DNA, Circular ; analysis ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Liver ; virology ; Male ; Viral Load

<b>BACKGROUNDb>To establish a new assay for detecting the quantity of HBV DNA with PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).

<b>METHODSb>The products of PCR using primers pre-labeled with biotin were hybridized with the capture probes that were immobilized on the microtiter strips and then bond with Sav-Ap. The quantity of DNA was detected by measuring the yellow color at 405 nm wave length.

<b>RESULTSb>Totally 125 sera from patients with hepatitis B were tested for HBV DNA by this method,the sera were also tested for HBV immunological markers by solid phase radio immuno-assay (SPRIA). The HBV positive rate with PCR-ELISA was 64.9% (24/37) in samples which were positive for HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcAb; and 34.2% (13/38) in sera which were positive for HBsAg, HBeAb and HBcAb; in sera positive for HBsAg and HBcAb or only HBcAb, the positive rate was 6.7% (1/15) and 5.9% (2/34) respectively.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>The PCR ELISA assay is simple and suitable for clinical laboratory in quantitative determination of HBV DNA.

DNA Probes ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To detect the mutation of HBV-DNA open reading frame (ORF), provide evidences for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

<b>METHODSb>By using gene chip technique, HBV-DNA was amplified by PCR, incorporated with fluorescence, hybridized with oligonucleotide to detect the gene sequence of DNA by computer analysis and observe the natural mutation of HBV-DNA ORF.

<b>RESULTSb>The mutations of HBV-DNA ORF existed widespread. The rates of mutation on Pre-C 1896, PreC 1814, BCP 1762, BCP 1764, P 528, P 552MI, P 552MV were 23.5%, 3.9%, 55.9%, 53.9%,39.2%, 38.2%, 10.8%, respectively.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>The gene chip technique possesses extremely high sensitivity and reliability,it is one of the effective methods to detect gene mutation. The mutation of HBV-DNA has important influence on the stability and progress of the disease, and on the judgement of prognosis.

DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Mutation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Considering the incidence of prevailing hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in neighboring nations, the predominance of genotype C in Korea is exceptional and needs to be confirmed by nationwide investigation. METHODS: A total of 510 HBsAg (+) or HBeAg (+) serum samples was collected from subjects in several cities and harbors throughout the Korean peninsula for genotype (A-G)-specific multiplex PCR analysis. Another 40 serum samples from chronic HBV carriers from Iksan city were selected for sequencing of the entire HBV genome. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with 22 whole genomic sequences of Korean HBV strains enrolled in GenBank. RESULTS: An amplicon was found in 377 specimens and genotype C occupied 98.1% (370 cases); none of the other genotypes were found. A mixed pattern of genotypes B and C was seen in seven specimens (1.9%), of which five were tested using PCR targeting the X fragment; no genotype B bands were found. With the exception of 1 case, which was subgenotype A2, whole sequences of Korean HBV strains (n=62) belonged to subgenotype C2. CONCLUSIONS: The prevailing HBV genotype in Korea is C2; the other genotypes occur only rarely. Future studies should include confirmation of the detection of genotypes other than C.
Genotype ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B virus/classification/*genetics ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; Protein Precursors/analysis/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Viral Envelope Proteins/analysis/genetics

<b>BACKGROUNDb>To determine the presence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), and to investigate the expression kinetics of HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg in 2.2.15 cell.

<b>METHODSb>HBV cccDNA was assessed by polymerase chain reaction, HBV DNA was measured by Taqman quantitative PCR and HBsAg and HBeAg was measured by EIA.

<b>RESULTSb>HBV cccDNA was found in both intracellular and extracellular space. There was a good correlation between HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in the supernatant of 2.2.15 cell (r= 0.833, P < 0.05 and r= 0.939, P < 0.01 for HBsAg and HBeAg, respectively), whereas there was no significant correlation between intracellular HBV DNA levels and virus antigen levels (r= 0.024, P= 0.955 and r= 0.177; P= 0.625 for HBsAg and HBeAg, respectively).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>HBV cccDNA was detectable in the culture medium and intracellularly in 2.2.15 cells, and these data provided an indication of HBV replication in 2.2.15 cell.

Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Circular ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To explore the interaction between inheritance and environment with the aid of research on the genetic modes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

<b>METHODSb>A genetic epidemiological study of HCC was conducted based on the methods of Penrose, simple segregation and Falconer for 100 proband pedigrees from HBsAg positive cohort. The proband samples came from a cohort of 90,00 people who were followed for 8 years. Analyses on genetic modes were carried out and heritability was calculated through the comparison of the proband pedigrees incidence frequency with incidence frequencies of the cohort and general population.

<b>RESULTSb>The incidence frequency of first-degree relatives was 4.0%, higher than what was seen in the general population incidence frequency (0.44%) and the cohort (1.03%). A familial aggregation of HBsAg carriers and a strong positive correlation between HBsAg carrier status and HCC were noticed (OR = 8.44, 95% CI: 3.37-20.06, P < 0.001). A ratio of the incidence frequency among siblings to the incident frequency among general population (s/q) approached 1/q(1/2) by Penrose method, but simple segregation did not show agreement with single-gene inheritance. The heritability from positive cohort was 42% +/- 6% (P < 0.05), compared with the heritability (59% +/- 7%) of general population. When the effect of the HBsAg was under control, the heritability from positive cohort turned to be 29% +/- 8% (P < 0.05), compared with the heritability (47% +/- 7%) of general population.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Our findings suggested that HCC followed a multifactorial mode rather than single inheritance. An interaction effect of inheritance and environment on HCC was also noticed.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Environment ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; analysis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male

To evaluate the inhibitory effects of long antisense RNA on HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells. The coding region of HBV S gene was cloned into pTARGET vector in sense and antisense orientations and the recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells which were divided into HBS2 (antisense RNA) group, HBS4 (sense RNA) group and control group. HBsAg and HBeAg in the culture supernate were detected by ELISA. The HBV DNA in the supernate was quantified by real-time PCR. After treatment, the levels of HBsAg in HepG2.2.15 cell supernatants of three groups were 0.621+/-0.027, 3.399+/-0.018 and 2.232+/-0.187 respectively; the levels of HBeAg were 0.749+/-0.019, 1.548+/-0.025 and 1.570+/-0.044 respectively and the levels of HBV DNA were 1.597+/-0.082, 3.381+/-0.297 and 3.610+/-0.063 respectively. The expressions of HBsAg and HBeAg and the HBV DNA level in HBS2 group were remarkably reduced as compared to the control (Z = -2.309, P value is less than 0.05); whereas the sense plasmid transfection (HBS4) did not affect HBeAg (Z = -0.866) and HBV DNA (Z = -1.155) levels in the culture supernate but slightly increased the HBsAg level (Z = -2.309). Antisense RNA might be a useful tool to repress HBV replication.
DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Genetic Vectors ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; analysis ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; Transfection ; Virus Replication ; genetics