Research on the relationship between interleukin-21 and chronic hepatitis B

Objective To investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL-21) and HBV replication inside chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods There were 50 cases of CHB patients without antiviral therapy as CHB group and 30 cases of HBV carriers as control group. Serum HBV DNA was measured by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with a commercial PCR kit. Serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcAb were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay Kit. Cytokines levels in serum were quantified by commercial ELISA kit according to manufacturer’s instructions. Results The level of IL-21 in the peripheral blood of patients with CHB was (160.55±23.39) pg/mL, which was higher than control group [ (85.93±23.34) pg/mL], the difference had statistical significance (t=13.828, P<0.01) . Correlation analysis showed that the level of IL-21 in CHB patients had negative correlation to the levels of HBV DNA (r=-0.381, P<0.01) and HBeAg (r=-0.354, P<0.05) , but they had no correlation in HBV carriers. Conclusions Our research indicates that IL-21 in patients with CHB has relationship with HBV clearance. Inadequate secretion of IL-21 in patients with CHB is an important factor of HBV persistent infection. Key words: Chronic hepatitis B; Interleukin-21; Clinical Studies