AIM: To study the influence of HBcAg on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in liver tissue of low-grade chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.METHODS: The expression of TGF-β1 and HBcAg in liver samples from 93 low-grade CHB patients was detected by immunohistochemistry and valuated by semi-quantitative scoring.RESULTS: In the 93 low-grade CHB patients, HBcAg was expressed in cell plasma but not in the liver tissue.There was no significant difference between the two groups.CONCLUSION: The expression of TGF-β1 is not related with HBcAg expressed as plasma type in the tissues of low-grade CHB patients.