Viral Hepatitis
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2005; 11(48): 7564-7568
Published online Dec 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i48.7564
Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 1 and immunity to hepatitis B virus
Marie C Lin, Nikki P Lee, Ning Zheng, Pai-Hao Yang, Oscar G Wong, Hsiang-Fu Kung, Chee-Kin Hui, John M Luk, George Ka-Kit Lau
Marie C Lin, Pai-Hao Yang, Oscar G Wong, Hsiang-Fu Kung, Institute of Molecular Biology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Nikki P Lee, John M Luk, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Nikki P Lee, John M Luk, George Ka-Kit Lau, Center for the Study of Liver Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Ning Zheng, Chee-Kin Hui, George Ka-Kit Lau, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: George KK Lau, M.D. , Department of Medicine Rm 1838, Queen Mary Hospital 102 Pokfulum Road, Hong Kong SAR, China. gkklau@netvigator.com
Telephone: +86- Fax: +852-28184030
Received: October 6, 2004
Revised: January 1, 2005
Accepted: January 5, 2005
Published online: December 28, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To compare the gene expression profile in a pair of HBV-infected twins.

METHODS: The gene expression profile was compared in a pair of HBV-infected twins.

RESULTS: The twins displayed different disease outcomes. One acquired natural immunity against HBV, whereas the other became a chronic HBV carrier. Eighty-eight and forty-six genes were found to be up- or down-regulated in their PBMCs, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 1 (TNF-αIP1) that expressed at a higher level in the HBV-immune twins was identified and four pairs of siblings with HBV immunity by RT-PCR. However, upon HBV core antigen stimulation, TNF-αIP1 was downregulated in PBMCs from subjects with immunity, whereas it was slightly upregulated in HBV carriers. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a K+ channel tetramerization domain in TNF-αIP1 that shares a significant homology with some human, mouse, and C elegan proteins.

CONCLUSION: TNF-αIP1 may play a role in the innate immunity against HBV.

Keywords: TNF-α, HBV, Immunity