Mutations of the Pre-S Region in HBV-Associated Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Korean J Hepatol > Volume 6(1); 2000 > Article

The Korean Journal of Hepatology 2000;6(1): 91-101.

원저 : B형 간염 바이러스에 의한 간경변증과 간세포암에서 pre-S 영역의 돌연변이에 대한 연구 ( Mutations of the Pre-S Region in HBV-Associated Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma )

Mutations of the Pre-S Region in HBV-Associated Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sang Ook Lee, M.D., Youn Jae Lee, M.D., Yeun Sik Jang, M.D., Sang Hyuk Lee, M.D., Sang Young Seol,, M.D., Young Hong Park*, M.D. Jung Myung Chung, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Biochemistry*, In Je University College of Medicine

ABSTRACT

Background/Aims
: According to the recent research, mutations in the HBV pre-S region may have an impact on the progression of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related liver disease. The aim of this study was to clarify the frequency and location of naturally occurring mutations in the pre-S region of HBV, and their possible effects on the clinical course of HBV-associated chronic liver diseases. Methods : HBV DNA was extracted from the sera of 15 patients (8 with liver cirrhosis and 7 with hepatocellular carcinoma). The pre-S sequence was amplified via polymerase chain reaction, subcloning and sequenced. Results : All patients had point mutations in the pre-S region. Nine of 10 mutation sites (90%) in the pre-S1 region, and 4 of 5 mutation sites (80%) in the pre-S2 region were identical in both liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Deletions were detected in seven patients (4 with liver cirrhosis and 3 with hepatocellular carcinoma). Among the 4 patients with liver cirrhosis, three had deletion in 5'-end of the pre-S2 region and one spanning the 3'-end of the pre-S1 to 5'-end of the pre-S2 region. All 3 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had deletions in 5'-end of the pre-S1 region, and two patients had simultaneous deletion spanning the 3'-end of the pre-S1 to the 5'-end of the pre-S2. Conclusion : The pre-S mutants were frequently detected in HBV-associated liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma and the point mutations or deletions in the pre-S gene were clustered in specific regions. (Korean J Hepatol 2000;6:91-101)

KeyWords: Hepatitis/Viral/Hepatitis B, Pre- S mutants, Liver cirrhosis, Neoplasm/Liver/ Hepatocellular carcinoma