Relationship between the CD137 expression and immunopathological injury degree of liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Objective: To investigate the correlation of the expression of CD137 and immunopathological injury degree of liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).Methods: The levels of CD137 in peripheral blood and liver tissue were measured by ELISA and immunofluorescent assay,respectively.The levels of the protein and mRNA expressions of CD137 and CD28 in liver tissue were detected using Western blot and qPCR,respectively.Results: The level of serum CD137 in severe CHB group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group,mild and moderate CHB groups(P<0.01).The expression levels of CD28 mRNA in liver tissue in moderate and severe CHB groups were higher than that in healthy control group and mild CHB group(P<0.01).The expression level of CD137 mRNA in liver tissue in severe CHB group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group,mild and moderate CHB groups(P<0.01).The expression levels of CD28 protein in liver tissue in moderate and severe CHB groups were higher than that in healthy control group and mild CHB group(P<0.01).The expression level of CD137 protein in liver tissue in severe CHB group was higher than that in healthy control group,mild and moderate CHB groups(P<0.01).Conclusions: The activation of CD137 involves in the immunopathological injury process of liver in CHB patients,and is related to the degree of liver.