BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is the best-characterized profibrogenic cytokine. TGF-beta1 increases the production of extracellular matrix proteins and their receptors and inhibits the synthesis of matrix degrading proteolytic enzymes. We undertook this study to simultaneously evaluate the effect of interferon alpha 2b plus ribavirin therapy on TGF-beta1 daily serum levels and on mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in liver biopsy specimens from 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Serum levels of TGF-beta1 were measured by ELISA. The levels of the RNAs in liver biopsy specimens were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. After treatment, patients were divided into two groups: 34 responders [undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA, normal ALT levels, decrease in histology activity index compared with pretreatment liver biopsy] and 26 non-responders (detectable HCV-RNA, elevated ALT levels, no decrease in the histology activity index). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In patients with hepatitis C, the 'responders' to the antiviral treatment showed significant decreases in both mean daily serum TGF-beta1 levels and mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in the liver biopsy specimens. The 'non-responders' serum TGF-beta1 concentrations did not change significantly, but the mRNA TGF-beta1 expression did. CONCLUSION: Both serum TGF-beta1 concentration and mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in liver biopsy specimens may be useful as prognostic markers in patients with hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is the best-characterized profibrogenic cytokine. TGF-beta1 increases the production of extracellular matrix proteins and their receptors and inhibits the synthesis of matrix degrading proteolytic enzymes. We undertook this study to simultaneously evaluate the effect of interferon alpha 2b plus ribavirin therapy on TGF-beta1 daily serum levels and on mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in liver biopsy specimens from 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Serum levels of TGF-beta1 were measured by ELISA. The levels of the RNAs in liver biopsy specimens were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. After treatment, patients were divided into two groups: 34 responders [undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA, normal ALT levels, decrease in histology activity index compared with pretreatment liver biopsy] and 26 non-responders (detectable HCV-RNA, elevated ALT levels, no decrease in the histology activity index). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In patients with hepatitis C, the 'responders' to the antiviral treatment showed significant decreases in both mean daily serum TGF-beta1 levels and mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in the liver biopsy specimens. The 'non-responders' serum TGF-beta1 concentrations did not change significantly, but the mRNA TGF-beta1 expression did. CONCLUSION: Both serum TGF-beta1 concentration and mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in liver biopsy specimens may be useful as prognostic markers in patients with hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy.
Authors: Jonathan P Moorman; Jia M Wang; Ying Zhang; Xiao J Ji; Cheng J Ma; Xiao Y Wu; Zhan S Jia; Ke S Wang; Zhi Q Yao Journal: J Immunol Date: 2012-06-15 Impact factor: 5.422
Authors: Howard E Boudreau; Suzanne U Emerson; Agnieszka Korzeniowska; Meghan A Jendrysik; Thomas L Leto Journal: J Virol Date: 2009-10-07 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: Mark A A Claassen; Robert J de Knegt; Duygu Turgut; Zwier M A Groothuismink; Harry L A Janssen; André Boonstra Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-11-08 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Manuela G Neuman; Kevin Sha; Rustan Esguerra; Sam Zakhari; Robert E Winkler; Nir Hilzenrat; Jonathan Wyse; Curtis L Cooper; Devanshi Seth; Mark D Gorrell; Paul S Haber; Geoffrey W McCaughan; Maria A Leo; Charles S Lieber; Mihai Voiculescu; Eugenia Buzatu; Camelia Ionescu; Jozsef Dudas; Bernhard Saile; Giuliano Ramadori Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 3.487