B cells were related to HBsAg seroconversion in inactive HBsAg carriers following peginterferon therapy.

Zhenhuan Cao, Sha Meng, Yanhong Zheng, Junli Wang, Rui Wang, Xinyue Chen

PloS one 2020

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Our recent study showed high rate of HBsAg seroconversion achieved in inactive HBsAg carriers (IHCs) treated with peginterferon (PEG-IFN). To better understand the immune-mediated component to the HBsAg seroconversion, we investigated the role of B cells in this study. A total of 44 IHCs were given 48 weeks of PEG-IFN. Fifteen cases achieve HBsAg seroconversion (R group), whereas 29 failed (NR group). The proportion of total B cells and plasma B cells were measured before and during treatment. We found that the proportion of total B cells and plasma B cells was no significant between R group and NR group at baseline, but significantly higher in R group than NR group during PEG-IFN treatment, even when the exact age-, sex-, and treatment period-match was made. In conclusion, we demonstrated the increase of total B cell and plasma B cells during PEG-IFN treatment favored HBsAg seroconversion for IHC, and B cells may play a role in HBV seroconversion.

Citation

Zhenhuan Cao, Sha Meng, Yanhong Zheng, Junli Wang, Rui Wang, Xinyue Chen. B cells were related to HBsAg seroconversion in inactive HBsAg carriers following peginterferon therapy. PloS one. 2020;15(12):e0242559