TLR3 expression in placenta of pregnant women with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B

Abstract：Objective To explore the relationship of TLR3 expression and HBV persistent infection in placenta of pregnant women. Methods To choose 22 HBeAg-positive and 24 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) pregnant women, and 25 normal pregnant women in our hospital obstetrics between November 2008 and May 2009. To detect the expression of TLR3 mRNA in placentas by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR(qRT-PCR) and immunohisto-chemical method. To assay the level of HBV DNA and HBeAg by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(FQ-PCR) and microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA), respectively. Results The level of TLR3 was significantly lower in HBeAg-positive CHB pregnant women(3. 204 ±0. 395) than that in HBeAg-negative CHB(5. 746 ±0. 580) and normal pregnan women(7. 834 ±0. 970) (P < 0. 01). However, the serum level of HBeAg and HBV DNA were significantly higher in HBeAg-positive CHB pregnant women(562. 2 ±337.4,(7. 15 ±3. 69) × 10~7 copy/mL)than that in HBeAg-negative CHB (0.35 ±0.07, (2.40 ±1.71) × 10~3 copy/mL)and normal pregnan women(0. 29 ±0. 06, < 1.00 × 10~3 copy/mL) (P < 0. 01). There was a negative relation between expressions of TLR3 mRNA in placentas and levels of HBeAg in serum (r = - 0.495, P < 0.05) , but no relation between TLR3 and HBV DNA. Conclusion A qRT-PCR for detecting TLR3 expression was established successfully. The expression of TLR3 has a association with HBV persistent infection in placenta of pregnant women ,and HBeAg play a negative role in the expression of TLR3 in placentas.