Sunida KuakarnPoorichaya SomParnPisit TangkijvanichVarocha MahachaiVisith ThongboonkerdNattiya HirankarnChulalongkorn UniversityMahidol University2018-10-192018-10-192013-08-31World Journal of Gastroenterology. Vol.19, No.31 (2013), 5067-507522192840100793272-s2.0-84882274995https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/32200AIM: To study the differential protein profile in serum of hepatitis B patients. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from patients with chronic hepatitis B who were receiving peginterferon alfa-2b. The serum samples were subjected to albumin depletion and analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Differentially expressed protein spots were identified by electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, complement component C3c and CD5 antigen were further analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunonephelometry. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were studied. These patients were followed for at least 1 year after treatment and were classified according to their treatment response: responders (n = 9) and non-responders (n = 10). 2-DE and MS/MS analysis were performed to compare the serum proteins before initiating peginterferon alfa-2b. From the quantitative analysis of the 2-D gel, 7 proteins were detected between the two groups at different levels before treatment. Among these potential candidates, serum levels of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, complement component C3c and CD5 antigen-like precursor were further analyzed. In the validation phase, 23 subjects, 9 sustained responders and 14 nonresponders, were recruited. Interestingly, the levels of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein and complement component C3c were elevated in the serum of the non-responders compared to the responders. CONCLUSION: Serum alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein and complement component C3c may be potential serum biomarkers in predicting the treatment response of peginterferon alfa-2b in patients with CHB prior to treatment. © 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.Mahidol UniversityMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.3748/wjg.v19.i31.5067