Chronic hepatitis B virus infection and occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

• DOI: 10.1186/s12985-015-0256-x
• Publication Date: 2015-02-12T17:08:40Z
• Authors: Chun Yang; Ping Ruan; Chao Ou; Jianjia Su; Ji Cao; Chengpiao Luo; Yanping Tang; Qi Wang; Hong Qin; Wen Sun; Yuan Li
• Keywords: Chronic infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been believed as a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for long time, however, the evidences which are mostly from clinical and epidemiological investigations while there is no evidence animal experiments. Tree shrew (Tupaia) small closely related to primates evolutionarily, with about 8 years lifespan. Our previous study proved that tree shrews can be chronically HBV-infected after being inoculated neonatally HBV. The present reports further results longer-term observation these animals.Neonatal were sera patient or shrew. Their serum samples liver biopsies collected periodically detection HBV markers well histopathological immunohistochemical examinations. Group A consisted six chronic HBV-infection, group nine without infection.Periodical examinations on animals in showed progress infection, two cases HCC occurred at their late stage life. courses hepatic changes similar those humans. In contrast, neither nor obvious hepatitis change was found among B.The course features discovered model might used investigate underlying mechanisms favoring susceptibility disease progression.