Amanda Abdel-Al1, Eman El-Ahwany2, Mona Zoheiry2, Marwa Hassan3, Amged Ouf1, Hoda Abu-Taleb4, Ali Abdel Rahim5, Mohamed Darwish El-Talkawy5, Suher Zada1. 1. Biology Department, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. 2. Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt. 3. Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt. Electronic address: marwahassan_777@yahoo.com. 4. Environmental Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt. 5. Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current methodologies used to determine the progression of hepatic fibrosis rely heavily on liver biopsy, a dangerous and invasive procedure, with semi-subjective analysis of the results of the biopsy. Thus, a new approach is immensely needed for monitoring the progression of liver fibrosis in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. AIM OF WORK: The purpose of this study was to find highly specific and sensitive miRNA biomarkers that can be used to detect different stages of liver fibrosis. METHODOLOGY: The study consisted of 42 cases of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with early-stage fibrosis, 45 cases of CHC with late-stage fibrosis, and 40 healthy subjects with no CHC or fibrosis as controls. Expression patterns of 5 miRNAs (miR-16, miR-146a, miR-214-5p, miR-221, and miR-222) were analyzed in each group using TaqMan real-time PCR. RESULTS: Serum levels of miRNA-16, miRNA-146a, miRNA-221, and miRNA-222 were all significantly up-regulated in early and late stages of liver fibrosis. miRNA-222 had the highest sensitivity and specificity values in early and late fibrosis. miRNA-221 had the second highest sensitivity and specificity with the late-stage fibrosis group. Furthermore, miRNA-221 showed significant positive correlations with both miRNA-16 and miRNA-146a in the early- and late-stage fibrosis groups, with the early stage having a stronger correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that miRNA-16, miRNA-146a, miRNA-221, and miRNA-222 can be used to detect the presence of liver fibrosis. The high sensitivity and specificity of miRNA-222 and miRNA-221 in late-stage fibrosis indicate promising prognostic biomarkers for HCV-induced liver fibrosis.
BACKGROUND: Current methodologies used to determine the progression of hepatic fibrosis rely heavily on liver biopsy, a dangerous and invasive procedure, with semi-subjective analysis of the results of the biopsy. Thus, a new approach is immensely needed for monitoring the progression of liver fibrosis in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. AIM OF WORK: The purpose of this study was to find highly specific and sensitive miRNA biomarkers that can be used to detect different stages of liver fibrosis. METHODOLOGY: The study consisted of 42 cases of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with early-stage fibrosis, 45 cases of CHC with late-stage fibrosis, and 40 healthy subjects with no CHC or fibrosis as controls. Expression patterns of 5 miRNAs (miR-16, miR-146a, miR-214-5p, miR-221, and miR-222) were analyzed in each group using TaqMan real-time PCR. RESULTS: Serum levels of miRNA-16, miRNA-146a, miRNA-221, and miRNA-222 were all significantly up-regulated in early and late stages of liver fibrosis. miRNA-222 had the highest sensitivity and specificity values in early and late fibrosis. miRNA-221 had the second highest sensitivity and specificity with the late-stage fibrosis group. Furthermore, miRNA-221 showed significant positive correlations with both miRNA-16 and miRNA-146a in the early- and late-stage fibrosis groups, with the early stage having a stronger correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that miRNA-16, miRNA-146a, miRNA-221, and miRNA-222 can be used to detect the presence of liver fibrosis. The high sensitivity and specificity of miRNA-222 and miRNA-221 in late-stage fibrosis indicate promising prognostic biomarkers for HCV-induced liver fibrosis.
Authors: Eman Shawky Mohammed; Nadia M El-Beih; Enas Ali El-Hussieny; Eman El-Ahwany; Marwa Hassan; Mona Zoheiry Journal: Arch Med Sci Date: 2020-03-17 Impact factor: 3.318