Quantitative analysis used to identify hepatitis B biomarker

The systematic identification of specific proteins which are key factors in disease progression through quantitative analysis is essential to understanding illnesses.

In a study published by the Virology Journal, a team of scientists aimed to identify the proteins specific to hepatitis B virus (HBV) induced hepatitis.

The team claimed that although many proteins have been found that are known to have an impact on hepatitis, the fact that no systematic protein screening has been documented is hindering the understanding and treatment of the disease.

As a result of the study they found, through two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) analysis, that the expression level of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) was significantly elevated in serum samples from patients with severe chronic hepatitis.

Furthermore, the scientists discovered that AAT is with highest expression in normal tissue and cells, and lowest in hepatic carcinoma and severe chronic hepatitis tissues and cells, suggesting the specific secretion of AAT from tissues and cells to serum.

The team concluded that AAT, therefore, has the potential to act as a biomarker for hepatitis B in diagnosis, aiding treatment.