Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and significance of SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily B member 1(SMARCB1), interferon stimulated exonuclease gene 20 (ISG20) and P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) in the liver tissues from different stages of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods The expression of SMARCB1, ISG20 and PCAF in liver tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry. All the 32 patients were divided into 3 groups, including 11 cases of immune tolerance (IT), 13 cases of immune clearance (IC) and 8 cases of low replication stage (LR). The correlations among the expression of SMARCB1, ISG20 and PCAF at different stages of CHB and the quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were analyzed, respectively. Results Expressions of SMARCB1, ISG20 and PCAF varied at different stages of CHB, respectively. SMARCB1 expression in the CHB patients from high to low was IT patients, IC patients and LR patients. The expression of ISG20 was higher in IC patients than that in IT and LR patients. PCAF had the highest expression in IT patients. The expressions of SMARCB1 and PCAF were positively correlated with HBsAg, while the expression of ISG20 was negatively correlated with HBsAg. Conclusion The expressions of SMARCB1, ISG20 and PCAF were closely related to cccDNA transcriptional activity, which might help to evaluate cccDNA transcription activity comprehensively from viral factors and host immune factors.

Key words: HBV, cccDNA, Transcription-related factors, Liver tissue