Predictive value and mechanism of LINC00665 for liver dysfunction in pregnant women with hepatitis B during early pregnancy

To investigate the expression characteristics of LINC00665 in early pregnancy and its predictive value for liver dysfunction in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV), along with elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. A total of 242 pregnant women with HBV and 110 healthy pregnant women were enrolled. Serum levels of LINC00665 were quantified using RT-qPCR, and its predictive efficacy was assessed via ROC curve and multivariate Logistic regression. An HBV-transfected L02 hepatocyte model was established to examine the effects of LINC00665 silencing. The LINC00665/miR-98-5p/CCND2 axis was identified through bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and RIP assays. Elevated serum LINC00665 levels were observed in pregnant women with hepatitis B, with further increases in those experiencing hepatic dysfunction. LINC00665 silencing enhanced cell viability, reduced apoptosis, and decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and liver injury markers (ALT, AST). Mechanistically, LINC00665 functioned as a molecular sponge for miR-98-5p, thereby alleviating its inhibitory effect on CCND2. Serum LINC00665 serves as a sensitive biomarker for predicting hepatic dysfunction in pregnant women with hepatitis B. The LINC00665/miR-98-5p/CCND2 axis plays a crucial role in HBV-transfected hepatocyte injury.