The Role of Toll Like Receptor -2 in Hepatitis B Infection

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem. It is estimated that there are 240 million HBV carriers in the world, of whom roughly 600,000 die annually from HBV-related liver disease. A total of 150 individuals were included in this study, 130 individuals of them had hepatitis B infection (patients group); HBs-Ag was detected in their sera by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and was confirmed by real time PCR analysis to detect the viral genetic material, the others were control. Most of HBV patients in this study were located within 20-40 years group with a percentage of 47.7% and within the 40-60 years group with a percentage of 38.5%. Acute infection was confirmed by detection of anti-HBc IgM antibodies, they were significantly higher (P<0.05) in acute hepatitis B patients than other groups in this study. Although there were no significant differences in biochemical tests, TSB, AST, ALT and ALP concentrations between study groups, the concentration levels of TSB, AST and ALT were higher than normal value in acute and chronic without treatment hepatitis B infected groups.
Toll like receptor-2(TLR-2) serum levels were upregulated in hepatitis B patients, it was significantly higher (p≤ 0.001) in Hepatitis B infected patients than control. The highest level was in chronic hepatitis B patients without treatment, chronic with treatment, acute, then carrier groups. Indicating that, TLR2 might participate in the pathogenesis of HBV infection, probably through altering the innate immune responses during infection.