The influence of myloid differentiation factor 88 of plasmacytoid dendritic cells to the viral reactivation in patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatectomy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the risk factors influence viral reactivation in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatectomy and to examine expression levels of myloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and the signaling molecule such as [interleukin (IL)-1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), transforming growth factor-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7)] of pDCs in patients with viral reactivation. Methods Between March 2015 and June 2015, 21 consecutive patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent hepatic resection were prospectively enrolled in the study. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) of peripheral blood were enrichmented through positive immunomagnetic selection using the mini-Magnetic beads adsorption cell separation method (MACS) system. And the expression levels of MyD88, IRAK1, TRAF6, TAK1, IRF7 were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) techniques. After following 1 month, patients were divided into two groups (the reactive group and the non-reactive group). Then we analyzed the clinical datas and the expression difference of the two groups. Results Seven patients (33.3%) developed HBV reactivation within 1 month after hepatectomy. On univariate analysis, perioperative total bilrubin (TB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were found to be significantly correlated with postoperative viral reactivation (P<0.05, respectively). The expression levels of MyD88, IRAK1, TRAF6, TAK1, IRF7 in the activate group was lower than the non-activate group. And only MyD88 was found to be significantly correlated with postoperative viral reactivation (0.013 6, 0.011 4) vs. (0.017 4, 0.013 7), P<0.05. Conclusion Preoperative TB and liver enzyme (ALT and AST) were related to viral activation in HCC undergoing hepatectomy. And virus reactivation may be associated with MyD88 of pDCs and due to the dysfunction of pDCs. Key words: Hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma; Viral reactivation; Plasmacytoid dendritic cells; Myloid differentiation factor 88