Viral immunology最新文献

{"title":"COVID-19: Understanding the Granulocyte Response and Exploring Their Therapeutic Interventions.","authors":"Zahra Farjami, Mina Moradi, Neshat Ebrahimi, Mohammad Mehdi Akbarin","doi":"10.1177/08828245251391816","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251391816","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has led to a global health crisis by triggering extensive systemic and immune dysregulation. Granulocytes, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, are critical components of the innate immune system that play dual roles in protection and pathogenesis during infection. In this review, we examine the multifaceted roles of granulocytes in COVID-19 and their impact on disease severity through excessive inflammation, cytokine storm, and tissue damage. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the overactivation of neutrophil subtypes contribute to the development of thrombosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In contrast, eosinophils and basophils modulate T helper 2-type and allergic responses that may influence recovery or disease progression. We further summarize the therapeutic strategies targeting granulocyte activation and signaling pathways, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-5 receptor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor inhibitors, and antihistamines, emphasizing their clinical outcomes, approval status, and the global regions in which they are studied. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of granulocyte activation and inhibition provides new insights into COVID-19 immunopathology and opens pathways for targeted immunomodulatory therapy. These findings underscore the importance of balancing protective immune functions with controlled anti-inflammatory interventions to mitigate the severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"303-316"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145426480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the Immunological Properties of Recombinant Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Using a Multitiered <i>In Vivo</i> and <i>In Vitro</i> Approach.","authors":"Xuan Zhao, Tianshu Shao, Wendong Li, Hong Ji, Yali Zeng, Chunran Cao","doi":"10.1177/08828245251389235","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251389235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The immunological properties of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg), prepared using yeast (<i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> [SC]) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, were evaluated through <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> assays to support the efficacy of recombinant hepatitis B vaccines. <i>In vitro</i>, antigenicity was assessed by measuring the affinity of rHBsAg to anti-HB antibodies using surface plasmon resonance. <i>In vivo,</i> mice were intraperitoneally injected with 3 µg of simulated vaccines containing anti-HB antibodies absorbed onto aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Humoral responses were evaluated by measuring serum anti-HB antibody titers and seroconversion rates on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Cellular immune responses were assessed based on cytokine (Interferon-γ-IFN-γ) and (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α- TNF-α) production from splenic lymphocytes on day 28 postimmunization. A recombinant Huh-7-HBsAg cell line, developed to analyze cellular immune responses, was established through cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays. <i>In vitro</i>, the equilibrium dissociation constant (K_D) of rHBsAg from CHO cells was significantly lower than that from yeast cells, indicating stronger antibody affinity. <i>In vivo</i>, rHBsAg-CHO induced faster and higher antibody titers compared with rHBsAg-SC. Cellular responses showed higher levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ for rHBsAg-CHO. In addition, the rHBsAg-CHO group exhibited higher late apoptosis rates in target cells. The rates induced in the rHBsAg-CHO and rHBsAg-SC groups were 25.0% and 19.2%, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the immunological properties of rHBsAg vary based on the expression systems and provides nonclinical data supporting the evaluation of vaccine efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"331-337"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145329967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"NK Cells Were Activated and Involved in the Physiopathology of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome.","authors":"Huanjun Shen, Pingzhong Wang, Xiaofei Yang, Xiaoyan Wang, Lina Yan, Yidi Ding, Yan Liang, Rongrong Zhang, Yao Wei, Haitao Yu, Hong Du","doi":"10.1177/08828245251386762","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251386762","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As a key component of innate immunity, natural killer (NK) cells initiate rapid effector responses against various viral pathogens. However, their role in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) remains unclear. In this study, NK cell subsets and receptor expression were analyzed by flow cytometry in patients with HFRS. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels in plasma. In experimental models of acute viral infection, changes in the expression of several NK cell receptor ligands were also detected by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry revealed a redistribution of NK cell subsets in patients with HFRS, characterized by the expansion of CD56⁺CD16^- NK cells, which remained elevated from the acute phase to the convalescent phase. In addition, sustained overexpression of NK cell receptors (NCR p30⁺, NCR p44⁺, NCR p46⁺, KIR2DL2/3, and KIR2DL4) was observed beyond the acute phase. Higher plasma concentrations of sHLA-G were detected in mild-type cases compared with moderate-type, severe-type, and critical-type patients. Hantaan virus infection was also found to upregulate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), CD62E, CD62P, human leukocyte antigen-A, B, C (HLA-A, B, C), HLA-E, and HLA-G. These findings suggest that NK cells undergo rapid expansion following viral infection and maintain elevated levels throughout the clinical course, accompanied by persistent overexpression of NK receptors. Lower concentrations of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in moderate-type, severe-type, and critical-type patients may indicate a potential mechanism contributing to increased vascular permeability in HFRS.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":"38 8","pages":"294-302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145293867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibody Development Strategies for SFTSV: From Hybridoma to Emerging Technologies.","authors":"Wanqing Lu, Yan Liu, Boyu Zhang, Zhuo Guan, Zheng Xuan, Lingkun Jin, Mingsheng Qu","doi":"10.1177/08828245251381140","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251381140","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the tick-borne SFTS virus (SFTSV), with a case fatality rate of 16.2-32.6% in East Asia. Currently, no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments exist. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy offers rapid immune protection and is a promising strategy against SFTSV. This review outlines advances in SFTSV neutralizing mAb research, covering conventional generation methods (hybridoma, phage display) and innovative approaches such as single B cell sequencing. We also introduce computational tools like artificial intelligence -assisted epitope prediction and <i>in silico</i> mAb design. Furthermore, we discuss the structure-function relationships of mAbs targeting Gn and Gc glycoproteins, their mechanisms (e.g., fusion inhibition, receptor blockade), and key functional attributes including breadth, potency, and cross-reactivity. Challenges such as limited epitope accessibility, immune interference, and antibody-dependent enhancement are highlighted. Finally, we propose a multipronged strategy integrating structure-guided engineering, high-throughput screening, and rigorous preclinical evaluation to accelerate the development of safe and effective SFTSV therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"269-279"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145138813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunogenic Response Assessment of Hepatitis Delta Virus Antigen from Pakistani Isolate in Rabbits Using a Prokaryotic Expression System.","authors":"Hifza Manzoor, Muhammad Shahid, Nadeem Ahmed, Samia Afzal, Muhammad Huzaifa, Saad Tahir, Iram Amin","doi":"10.1177/08828245251382143","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251382143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective and small, blood-borne viroid-like pathogen that coinfects with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in about 5% of the infected individuals as it is a satellite virus of HBV. The treatment of HDV infection is quite challenging because there is no vaccine against HDV. Several commercial PCR and in-house assays have been developed, but there are greater variations in the results of these assays because they are not standardized properly. Studies are also delayed because of the unavailability of commercial HDV-specific antibodies for the diagnosis of HDV infection, even for the research devotions. To fill this gap, the recombinant antigenic HDAg protein of genotype I of HDV from the local isolate was successfully expressed and purified in the Escherichia coli (<i>E. coli</i>) system, followed by anti-HDAg antibodies production in rabbits. After determining and amplifying the antigenic region of <i>HDAg</i> of HDV, the fragment was cloned into the pET-28a vector and expressed in <i>E. coli</i> TOP10 cells. Following the successful expression of recombinant <i>HDAg</i> protein with a His-tag at its C-terminal end, we purified the <i>HDAg</i> protein using affinity chromatography. Both the expression and purification of HDAg-An protein were confirmed through SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Through proper optimization, the HDAg-An protein was obtained with more than 90% purity. The next step involved immunizing Japanese White rabbits with the purified <i>HDAg</i>. The immunization protocol included 80 µg of HDAg-An in two subcutaneous priming doses and four 40 µg booster doses, followed by blood collection two weeks after each boost to monitor antibody production. The level of anti-HDAg antibodies in the rabbit serum was assessed using a quantitative ELISA technique. In the future, these antibodies could be used for the development of HDV-specific in-house assays as well as vaccines against the HDV genotype I that is locally predominant, potentially decreasing the burden of imported diagnostic tools and reagents.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"280-287"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elevated Levels of Serum Interleukin-37 in Chronic Hepatitis B in Comparison with the Spontaneously Cleared and Healthy Control Groups.","authors":"Soolmaz Khansalar, Erfan Rostami, Aida Khademolhosseini, Maryam Bayat, Vahid Molaei, Jamal Sarvari, Mohammad Reza Haghshenas","doi":"10.1177/08828245251385895","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251385895","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Interleukin-37 (IL-37) can prevent liver damage and may be an important candidate for use as a novel therapeutic tool in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of IL-37 in individuals with chronic HBV (CHB) infection, those who spontaneously cleared (SC) HBV infection, compared with healthy control (HC) subjects. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> This case-control study included 30 patients with CHB (17 males, 13 females; mean age, 50.13 ± 14.51), 30 subjects with SC HBV infection (16 males, 14 females; mean age, 51.50 ± 16.85), and 42 HC subjects (22 males, 20 females; mean age, 53.52 ± 14.44). Blood samples were collected, and then serum IL-37 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Our results showed that serum IL-37 levels were significantly higher in the CHB (96.99 ± 13.39 pg/mL) than in the HC group (37.85 ± 2.99 pg/mL, <i>p</i> = 0.02). No statistically significant differences were found in IL-37 serum levels between CHB group and SC group (91.93 ± 17.11 pg/mL, <i>p</i> = 0.43). Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between serum IL-37 levels and age in SC subjects (<i>p</i> = 0.02, <i>R</i> = -0.42). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results suggest that increased production of IL-37 may biologically act as a negative feedback loop to attenuate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequently alleviate disease symptoms in CHB. The negative correlation between the cytokine and age may indicate that higher levels of IL-37 in younger individuals may lead to the spontaneous clearance of HBV.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"288-293"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Characteristics of Influenza Pneumonia in Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma Receiving Immunotherapy.","authors":"Weiyi Li, Dan Zhang, Haitong Feng, Jingjing Jin, Caihong Li, Chenguang Li, Lijing Zhang, Yan Huang","doi":"10.1177/08828245251362175","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251362175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study is to examine the general characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and imaging features of patients with lung adenocarcinoma who develop influenza pneumonia while undergoing immunotherapy. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 48 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and pulmonary infections who received immunotherapy as a stand-alone treatment between September 2022 and September 2024 at the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology. Clinical characteristics of patients with concurrent influenza pneumonia were assessed. When compared with the non-influenza pneumonia group, patients in the influenza pneumonia group demonstrated significantly more severe systemic symptoms, elevated urea nitrogen levels, reduced platelet counts, decreased serum albumin levels, lower Prognostic Nutritional Index values, and higher prevalence of bilateral and multilobed lung involvement. Chest imaging frequently revealed ground glass opacities, reticular patterns, and the \"crazy paving\" sign. Additionally, this group exhibited higher CURB-65 scores and an increased need for intensive care unit admission, with all comparisons yielding <i>p</i> values <0.05. Hypotension emerged as a potential factor influencing mortality in both groups (odds ratio = 9.094, <i>p</i> = 0.041). Among the 19 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and influenza pneumonia, 89.5% had coinfections with other pathogens. Gram-negative bacterial infections were the most common (64.7%), with <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> subspecies, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and <i>Haemophilus parainfluenzae</i> identified as the leading pathogens. Fungal infections, primarily involving <i>Aspergillus</i> species, accounted for 23.5% of cases. General characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and imaging features are essential references for the diagnosis and management of lung adenocarcinoma complicated by influenza pneumonia. Particular attention should be directed to blood pressure fluctuations, with careful monitoring of low blood pressure, especially when accompanied by bacterial infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"235-244"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144849234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lower C3 and C4 Complement Serum Levels Are Associated with More Severe Forms of COVID-19 Disease.","authors":"Melanie-Ivana Čulo, Ivan Marković, Ana Šavuk, Nikola Zagorec, Tatjana Kereš, Danijela Grizelj, Ante Lisičić, Nikša Bušić, Sara Šakota, Marta Kmet, Tomislav Kelava, Ana Livun, Tomo Svaguša","doi":"10.1177/08828245251362439","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251362439","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> In a subgroup of patients, coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is a severe illness with high mortality due to hyperinflammation, development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Complement system activation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and severity of COVID-19 disease. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This cross-sectional, single-center study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum C3 and C4 levels and COVID-19 severity. We included 125 patients hospitalized between December 2020 and March 2021. Patients were stratified into three groups based on the level of respiratory support needed to maintain adequate oxygenation (PaO₂ ≥ 60 mmHg): 51 patients requiring oxygen supplementation up to 15 L/min, 51 patients requiring high-flow oxygen therapy, and 23 patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV). We analyzed the blood counts and serum levels of C3, C4, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, procalcitonin, d-dimers, high-sensitive troponin I (TnI), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4, rheumatoid factor, and anticitrullinated peptide antibodies. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Patients on MV had significantly lower levels of C3 and C4 (0.98 ± 0.24 g/L for C3 and 0.21 ± 013 g/L for C4) compared with patients with less severe disease (<i>p</i> < 0.001 for C3, <i>p</i> < 0.001 for C4). Serum C3 and C4 levels were lower in patients requiring high-flow oxygen therapy than in those requiring oxygen supplementation, however, the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, higher neutrophil counts were observed in patients on MV or high-flow oxygen therapy than in those on oxygen supplementation, and higher CRP, procalcitonin, and NT-proBNP levels were observed only in patients on MV. The levels of IL-6, d-dimers, and high-sensitive TnI were positively correlated with disease severity, whereas lymphocyte counts showed a negative correlation, and these differences were statistically significant among all three groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The determination of serum levels of C3 and C4, along with other known laboratory risk factors, may contribute to the detection of patients at an increased risk for severe COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"245-253"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144718755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Humoral Immune Response to Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Populations With and Without Prior COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.","authors":"Shuang Zhang, Xiaoman Jiang, Changhui Du, Mengmeng Jia, Qiangru Huang, Hongzhuan Tan, Liang Wang","doi":"10.1177/08828245251370284","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251370284","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To assess the dynamics of humoral immune responses to inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines across populations with and without prior COVID-19 infection, a longitudinal cohort study was conducted. A total of 38 COVID-19-recovered individuals and 165 naïve participants (without prior COVID-19 infection) were enrolled, all of whom completed a two-dose vaccination regimen. Levels of anti-spike (anti-S) and anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibodies were analyzed at baseline and post-vaccination time points, including 6 weeks post-first dose, and 1 month and 6 months post-second dose. Among naïve participants, the seropositivity rate for anti-S antibodies increased to 96.23% at 1 month after the second dose with anti-S titers peaking at a median of 54.59 U/mL (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Conversely, COVID-19-recovered participants exhibited significantly elevated anti-S levels after the first dose (median titer: 637.70 U/mL, <i>p</i> < 0.0001), with no notable changes following the second dose. Anti-S levels in both groups declined by 6 months post-second dose. The dynamic pattern of anti-N antibodies was comparable to that of anti-S, albeit with weaker vaccine-induced responses. Notably, levels of both anti-S and anti-N antibodies decreased with advancing age (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Males demonstrated lower anti-N antibody levels compared with females (<i>p</i> = 0.038), while the presence of underlying diseases was associated with higher anti-S antibody levels (<i>p</i> = 0.030). In conclusion, two doses effectively augmented antibody levels in naïve individuals, whereas a single dose may suffice to confer immune protection in COVID-19-recovered individuals. Antibody levels wane over time, necessitating further investigations into the durability of vaccine-mediated immune protection, evidence-based recommendations for preventive vaccination, and the formulation of immunization strategies tailored to distinct populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"254-261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144993509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serum Galectin-3 in Hepatitis B e-Antigen-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Clinical and Histological Correlations.","authors":"Yıldız Garip Bilen, Erdem Akbal","doi":"10.1177/08828245251374666","DOIUrl":"10.1177/08828245251374666","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background and aims:</i></b> Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) drives liver fibrosis, contributing to chronic liver disease. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a lectin linked to inflammation and fibrosis, was investigated for its association with liver injury severity in HBeAg-negative CHB and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHI) patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We enrolled 25 CHB, 25 CHI, and 25 healthy controls. Serum Gal-3 levels were measured in all subjects, with liver biopsies performed in CHB patients. Gal-3 and HBV DNA levels were monitored at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months during antiviral therapy in CHB patients. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Serum Gal-3 levels were significantly higher in CHI (median: 422 U/L, interquartile range [IQR]: 144-900) and CHB (median: 567 U/L, IQR: 196-1093) patients than controls (median: 179 U/L, IQR: 79-350; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Although Gal-3 levels were higher in CHB than CHI, the difference was not significant (<i>p</i> = 0.08). Median Gal-3 levels in CHB patients decreased from 567 U/L to 288 U/L after 12 months of antiviral therapy (<i>p</i> = 0.043 after excluding an outlier). Gal-3 levels showed weak correlations with HBV DNA (Spearman's rho = 0.32, <i>p</i> = 0.12), ALT (rho = 0.28, <i>p</i> = 0.17), and fibrosis scores (rho = 0.35, <i>p</i> = 0.09). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Elevated Gal-3 levels correlate with HBeAg-negative CHB and CHI, with a significant decline posttreatment in CHB. If validated, Gal-3 could serve as a noninvasive marker for fibrosis and treatment response.</p>","PeriodicalId":23665,"journal":{"name":"Viral immunology","volume":" ","pages":"262-267"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144971262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}