Nevertheless a set of 77 differentially expressed genes between clinical phases were identified using supervised analysis of the whole blood transcriptome. The gene signature distinguishing IA from IT and IC patients was predominantly composed of highly up-regulated immunoglobulin encoding genes (47 %and 36 %respectively). Furthermore,
click here gene set enrichment analysis corroborated abundant expression of B cell function-related genes in IA patients, while opposing activities of interferon stimulated genes and NK-cell related genes were observed for ENEG and IC patients, respectively. Conclusions HBV clinical phases are characterised by distinct gene signatures in whole blood, but not by numerical differences in circulating leukocyte populations. The blood transcriptome of IA patients is dominated MK-8669 molecular weight by B cell function-related transcripts, pointing towards a crucial differential role for B-cells in the immunopathogenesis of HBV. Disclosures: Suzan D. Pas – Grant/Research Support: the Virgo consortium, funded by the Dutch government (FES0908),
the Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI) project number 050-060-452, the European Community Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under project EMPERIE (grant agreement no. 223498) Harry L. Janssen – Consulting: Abbott, Bristol Myers Squibb, Debio, Gilead Sciences, Merck, medchemexpress Medtronic, Novartis, Roche, Santaris; Grant/Research Support: Anadys, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Innogenetics, Kirin, Merck, Medtronic, Novartis, Roche, Santaris Andre Boonstra – Grant/Research Support: BMS, Janssen Pharmaceutics, Merck,
Roche The following people have nothing to disclose: Thomas Vanwolleghem, Jun Hou, Gertine van Oord, Zwier M. Groothuismink, Kim Kreefft Purpose:The incidence of HBsAg spontaneous seroconversion is only 0.5%.Host immunity is responsible for clearing the virus spontaneously.T follicular helper cells(TFH) are a subpopulation of Tcells that regulate B cell maturation & antibodies production through IL-21.On stimulation,TFH cells release proinflammatory cytokines,which help in viral clearance. We found the role of TFH cells in HBV clearance,circulating TFH cells& their sub-sets;TFH1,2&17 were studied.Patients and Methods: Inclusion-criteria: Patients with spontaneous serocoversion(Gr.A,n=11) were taken within 6 months of HBsAg loss and appearance of anti HBs >10 IU/ml (seroconversion)with negative HBV DNA. In group B were treatment naTve,HBeAg+ve and persistently normal ALT (<40 IU/ml) for >12 months.Serum HBsAg, Anti HBc (T),anti-HBs,quantitative HBV DNA, ASTandATL levels were determined for each patient in Gr A (n=11) and B (n=20).Phe-notypic expression ofcirculating TFH cells and their subtypes TFH 1, 2 and 17 was analyzed by Flowcytometry.