Hunan interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: A potential prognostic marker of liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic hepatitis B infection is a consequence of the interplay between the HBV and the host immune response. T-cell immune response correlates with fibrosis and hepatic inflammation in patients with chronic HBV infection. Therefore, the progression of infection is determined by the host inflammatory response. This study aimed at determining a novel inflammatory prognostic marker of liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patient. Methods & Materials: Three categories of chronic hepatitis B patients with non-cirrhotic, cirrhotic and acute flare infections were recruited. Control group were recruited from healthy undergraduate students of Faculty of Medicine and health sciences Universiti Putra Malaysia that were HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc negative. A total of 40 human cytokines and chemokines were screened using magnetic beads multiplexed Luminex assay. The plate was then read immediately using the Luminex analyser (Luminex corp. Texas, USA). Results: Human Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was found to be positively correlated with liver cirrhosis (r = 0.2066; p < 0.05) and acute flare (r = 0.2258; p < 0.05) while in non-cirrhotic patients was found to be negatively correlated (r = 0.3938; p < 0.05). Similarly, IL-1ar was also found to be significantly associated with Elevated ALT (r = 0.268; p < 0.05), and AST level with IL-1ar (r = 0.257; p < 0.05). IL-1ra is secreted by immune system cells secreted by the liver, it is considered as an acute phase reactant that functions as proinflammatory cytokine by stimulating natural killer cells. It has been shown that knocking down of IL-1ra in mice decreased liver inflammation. Conclusion: This study found significant correlations of IL-1ra liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B infected patients and with elevated ALT. Therefore, IL-1ra might serves as a novel prognostic factor of liver cirrhosis and acute flare.