Serum progranulin levels are elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, reflecting viral load

Progranulin (PGRN) is implicated in infection, immunity and host defense, but its role in the pathogenesis of HBV infection remains unknown. Here we investigated whether there is dysregulated production and the clinical significance of circulating PGRN in patients with chronic HBV infection. Serum concentrations of PGRN were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum PGRN levels were significantly higher in patients with chronic HBV infection than healthy subjects. PGRN levels were significantly associated with HBV-DNA levels, but did not correlate with the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. This study demonstrates increased circulating PGRN production and association between PGRN levels and viral loads in patients with chronic HBV infection, suggesting a functional role of PGRN in the pathogenesis of HBV infection.