Association Between Serum Levels of Anti-Heat Shock Protein-27 Antibody and Liver Cell Injury in Chronic Hepatitis B

Abstract

Background Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSP27), an anti-HBV factor, exists in the intracellular and extracellular spaces. Serum HSP27 (sHSP27) is an inflammatory modulator and is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and with a higher likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma. SHSP27 results in natural antibody production (anti-HSP27-Ab) that is more stable and easily detectable compared to sHSP27. We aimed to investigate any potential association between anti-HSP27-Ab level and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) progression and inflammation indicated by liver cell injury and HBV replication. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 91 patients with CHB and 92 individuals without CHB. Following demographic data collection, anti-HSP27-Ab, serum lipids including total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C, and aminotransferase levels were measured using enzymatic assays in participants’ serum samples. HBV DNA was also measured by quantitative PCR in CHB patients. Results Bivariate and multivariate analyses showed a significantly higher mean level of anti-HSP27-Ab in CHB than in healthy individuals (0.304 vs. 0.256AU/ml, P-value = 0.015). These levels held significant differences in the CHB subgroups of male patients, at the age of 50 years and above, non-smokers, patients with elevated aminotransferase levels, and hypotriglyceridemia (P-value < 0.05). However, no difference was found between the antibody levels and HBV DNA copies (P-value > 0.05). Conclusion This study provides evidence that anti-HSP27 antibody levels can reflect the degree of liver necrosis indicated by aminotransferase levels. Regarding the higher incidence rate of HBV-associated complications in 50 to 60-year-old men, monitoring the antibody can be beneficial in managing this group of CHB patients, which deserves further investigation.