Efficacy of interferon therapy on serum fibronectin levels in children with chronic hepatitis B infection

Abstract

Abstract Background: Fibronectin (FN) is a glycoprotein, the major sources of which are hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and endothelial cells. It has many biological functions including adhesion between cells, immunity, blood coagulation and platelet aggregation. Serum FN levels are generally decreased in pathological blood coagulation and inflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the serum levels of FN in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection treated with interferon-α 2b. Methods: We studied serum levels of FN in a prospective trial between October 1995 and May 1997. The study included 16 patients with chronic HBV infection before and after interferon therapy, in a period of 6 months, and 17 healthy controls. In total, we had 40 patients with chronic HBV infection. We studied these 16 patients (40%) who recovered with interferon therapy. We could not study the other 24 patients because we did not have enough of the reagents for studying FN. Results: Chronic hepatitis B infection was diagnosed serologically and histopathologically. In mean age and sex, no statistically significant differences were found between patients and healthy subjects. The serum FN concentration before treatment with interferon therapy appeared significantly lower in HBV patients than in healthy control subjects (P=0.026 using the Mann–Whitney confidence interval and test). After treatment with interferon, serum levels of FN were significantly higher than levels obtained before interferon therapy (P= 0.004 using the Wilcoxon Test). Conclusions: These results suggest that a decreased level of serum FN in patients with chronic hepatitis before interferon treatment is related to hepatic injury and inflammation. Because of inflammation, the serum FN level is decreased due to the consumption of FN. Increased levels of serum FN in patients having interferon therapy is important and is related to the effects of interferon including antiviral, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties in patients with chronic HBV infection. A Japanese study showed a correlation between development of hepatic fibrosis and decrease of plasma FN concentration in adult patients with chronic liver disease. Therefore, the serum level of FN may be a useful marker of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease and interferon may be an important drug for prevention of liver fibrosis. Fibronectin may be also a useful marker in predicting IFN response.