Demethylation of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme promoter associated with high hepatitis B e antigen level in chronic hepatitis B

Figure 1 Gene structure and methylation-specific polymerase primer set for TACE gene. TACE: Tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme.

Figure 2 Flow diagram of the participant selection process. HBeAg: Hepatitis B e antigen; CHB: Chronic hepatitis B; HC: Healthy control.

Figure 3 Typical methylation-specific polymerase analysis results of the TACE gene promoter. WB: Water blank.

Figure 4 Comparison of HBeAg , ALT, and AST between HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with methylated and unmethylated TACE promoters. Significant difference (^bP < 0.05, methylated vs unmethylated).