NFkappaB and caspase-3 activity in apoptotic hepatocytes of galactosamine-sensitized mice treated with TNFalpha.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) induces apoptosis in hepatocytes only under transcriptional arrest induced by galactosamine (GalN). In this study we demonstrated the shuttle of the transcription factor NFkappaB (nuclear factor-kappa B) in the liver tissue of mice within 30 min-4.5 hr hours after GalN/TNFalpha treatment.

Pre-S1 proteins in sera of patients positive for HBsAg and antibodies to hepatitis delta virus.

Infection with the hepatitis Delta virus results in a reduction in hepatitis B virus replication. To study the question as to whether expression of large surface (pre-S1) protein is changed in patients with previous and chronic hepatitis Delta virus infection, sera of 25 HBsAg- and anti-HD-positive patients were analyzed by the Western blot technique using an antibody directed against a pre-S1 fusion protein. Pre-S1 proteins were present only in 3 of the 25 sera.

Prevalence of the hepatitis delta virus in Rumania.

Epidemiological data obtained to date show that the delta agent is spread all over the world. In Rumania hepatitis B virus infection is widespread and is associated with a high incidence of chronic liver disease. To determine the prevalence of delta infection, sera from 373 patients with chronic liver disease were tested for HBV markers; 228 were HBsAg positive.