Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers of HBV infection persistence

Objectives: To investigate different microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in patients of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection compared with virus spontaneous clearance ones, and try to find new biomarker for diagnosis and treatment assessment. Methods: miRNA expression profiling was analyzed in patients with HBV infection and patients with virus spontaneous clearance by Affymetrix Gene Chip miRNA 4.0 Arrays. The differently expressed miRNAs, as verified by RT-PCR, were analyzed and compared with each other in the two groups of patients. Results: Significant difference was found in the expression of miR-29b, miR-34, miR-4485, miR-3180, miR-125, miR-330-3p, miR-1468 in spontaneous clearance group and CHB group. miR-29b, miR-34, miR-4485 was significantly increased in CHB group, while miR-125, miR-330-3p, miR- 1468, miR-3180 was significantly decreased. Correlation analysis indicate only miR-29b was positive correlation with HBsAg. Conclusions: These results indicated above miRNAs may be associated with HBV infection persistence, and provided us new ideas for finding potential biomarkers. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.