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Shabangu CS, Siphepho PY, Li CY, Cheng WC, Lu MY, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Dai CY, Huang JF, Chuang WL, Lin ZY, Yu ML, Wang SC. The Persistence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Hepatocytes Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Pro-Inflammatory Interluekin-8 Expression. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101446. [PMID: 34680563 PMCID: PMC8533125 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A large amount of epidemiological evidence indicates that persistent HCV infection is the main risk factor for HCC. We aimed to study the effects of persistent HCV infection on the interaction of the virus and host cell to identify cancer gene profiles. Methods: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to identify differentially expressed genes between uninfected Huh7.5.1 control cells, short-term HCV (S-HCV), early long-term HCV (eL-HCV), and long-term HCV (L-HCV) infections, which were analyzed using different dynamic bioinformatics and analytic tools. mRNA expression was validated and quantified using q-PCR. One hundred ninety-six serum samples of HCV patients with IFN/RBV treatment were used to study chemokine levels. Results: S-HCV activates an inflammatory response and drives cell death and apoptosis through cell cycle arrest via MAPK signaling. L-HCV promotes cell growth and alters cell adhesion and chemokine signaling via CXCL8-mediated-SRC regulation. A total of 196 serum samples from the HCV and HCV-HCC cohorts demonstrated significantly upregulated pro-inflammatory CXCL8 in non-SVR (persistent HCV infection) patients in the HCV-HCC group. Conclusions: Persistent infection with HCV induced pro-inflammatory CXCL8 and the oncogene SRC, thereby triggering and promoting hepatocarcinogenesis. CXCL8 may be a potential biomarker for monitoring HCV-related HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciniso Sylvester Shabangu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.S.S.); (C.-Y.L.); (M.-Y.L.)
- Center for Cancer Research, Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (J.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.)
| | - Phumelele Yvonne Siphepho
- Program in Tropical Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Yang Li
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.S.S.); (C.-Y.L.); (M.-Y.L.)
| | - Wei-Chung Cheng
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan;
| | - Ming-Ying Lu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.S.S.); (C.-Y.L.); (M.-Y.L.)
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.); (C.-Y.D.); (W.-L.C.); (Z.-Y.L.)
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lun Yeh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.); (C.-Y.D.); (W.-L.C.); (Z.-Y.L.)
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.); (C.-Y.D.); (W.-L.C.); (Z.-Y.L.)
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Jee-Fu Huang
- Center for Cancer Research, Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (J.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.)
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.); (C.-Y.D.); (W.-L.C.); (Z.-Y.L.)
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Long Chuang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.); (C.-Y.D.); (W.-L.C.); (Z.-Y.L.)
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Zu-Yau Lin
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.); (C.-Y.D.); (W.-L.C.); (Z.-Y.L.)
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Center for Cancer Research, Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (J.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.)
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.); (C.-Y.D.); (W.-L.C.); (Z.-Y.L.)
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chi Wang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.S.S.); (C.-Y.L.); (M.-Y.L.)
- Center for Cancer Research, Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (J.-F.H.); (M.-L.Y.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Neamatallah M, El-Bendary M, Elalfy H, Besheer T, El-Maksoud MA, Elhammady D, Abed S, Elegezy M, Kandeel L, Eldeib D, Mousa N, Abd El-Hafeez M, El-Gilany AH, Esmat G. Impact of Toll-like Receptors 2(TLR2) and TLR 4 Gene Variations on HCV Susceptibility, Response to Treatment and Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic HCV Patients. Immunol Invest 2019; 49:462-476. [PMID: 31615295 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2019.1673772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background and Aims: Genetic polymorphisms of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been proposed to affect susceptibility to HCV infection and progression to end-stage liver disease. This study was conducted to clarify the association of SNPS of TLR2 and TLR4 with clinical outcome of hepatitis C, response to treatment and development of HCC.Methods: The current study examined 3295 individuals from 725 families that were categorized into groups comprising chronic HCV (CH), spontaneous viral clearance (SC) and control subjects. Treated patients were classified into responders (RT) and non-responders (NRT). In addition, patients with liver cirrhotic (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were also included. All subjects were genotyped for five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR2 and four SNPs of TLR4 and their haplotypes using allelic discrimination real-time PCR.Results: Results demonstrated strong association with allele A of rs13105517 of TLR2 and allele C of rs10116253 of TLR4 with CH in comparison to SC group. However, The peak of risk of HCC was observed with allele C of rs3804099 of TLR2 and C allele of rs10116253 TLR4 (p < 0.001).A strong association was found with allele T of rs1816702 of TLR2 and allele A of rs5030728 of TLR4 in non responder group in comparison to responders (p < 0.001). Haplotypes CAGT of TLR4 and ATAC of TLR2 showed significant association with CH and HCC groups in comparison to other groups.Conclusions: This study shows an association of minor alleles of TLR2 and TLR4 with outcome of HCV infection, response to therapy and development of HCC in cirrhotic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Neamatallah
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud El-Bendary
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Hatem Elalfy
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Tarek Besheer
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abd El-Maksoud
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Dina Elhammady
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Sally Abed
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elegezy
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Lamiaa Kandeel
- Ministry of Health, Sherbeen General Hospital, Sherbeen city, Egypt
| | - Dalia Eldeib
- Biochemistry department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Naser Mousa
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Abdel-Hady El-Gilany
- Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Gamal Esmat
- Tropical Medicine and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Altered expression of interferon-stimulated genes is strongly associated with therapeutic outcomes in hepatitis B virus infection. Antiviral Res 2017; 147:75-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Pegylated Interferon-α Modulates Liver Concentrations of Activin-A and Its Related Proteins in Normal Wistar Rat. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:414207. [PMID: 26236109 PMCID: PMC4506924 DOI: 10.1155/2015/414207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims. To measure the expression of activin βA-subunit, activin IIA and IIB receptors, Smad4, Smad7, and follistatin in the liver and the liver and serum concentrations of mature activin-A and follistatin in normal rat following treatment with pegylated interferon-α (Peg-INF-α) and ribavirin (RBV). Materials and Methods. 40 male Wistar rats were divided equally into 4 groups: “control,” “Peg-only” receiving 4 injections of Peg-INF-α (6 µg/rat/week), “RBV-only” receiving ribavirin (4 mg/rat/day) orally, and “Peg & RBV” group receiving both drugs. The expression of candidate molecules in liver was measured by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. The concentrations of mature proteins in serum and liver homogenate samples were measured using ELISA. Results. Peg-INF-α ± RBV altered the expression of all candidate molecules in the liver at the gene and protein levels (P < 0.05) and decreased activin-A and increased follistatin in serum and liver homogenates compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). There were also significant correlations between serum and liver activin-A and follistatin. Conclusion. Peg-INF-α modulates the hepatic production of activin-A and follistatin, which can be detected in serum. Further studies are needed to explore the role of Peg-INF-α on the production of activins and follistatin by the liver and immune cells.
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The effects of pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin on liver and serum concentrations of activin-A and follistatin in normal Wistar rat: a preliminary report. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:265. [PMID: 26112013 PMCID: PMC4481076 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1253-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Activin-A and follistatin regulate the liver and the immune system. Aims To measure the effects of treatment with pegylated-interferon-α (Peg-IFN-α) and ribavirin on the concentrations of mature activin-A and follistatin in serum and liver tissue homogenates in rats. Methods A total of 28 male Wistar rats were divided equally into four groups as follow: ‘Control group’ (n = 7), ‘PEG only group’ consisted of those that only received a weekly injection of Peg-IFN-α (6 µg/rat) for 4 weeks, ‘RBV only group’ received ribavirin only (4 mg/rat/day) orally for 35 days and the last group received both Peg-IFN-α and ribavirin ‘PEG & RBV group’. The concentrations of candidate proteins in serum and liver samples were measured using ELISA. Results Pegylated-interferon-α decreased activin-A and increased follistatin significantly in serum and liver of ‘PEG only’ and ‘PEG & RBV’ groups compared with the ‘Control’ and ‘RBV only’ groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the ‘RBV only’ and ‘Control’ groups (P > 0.05) in the concentrations of candidate proteins. A significant positive correlations between serum and liver activin-A (r = 0.727; P = 0.02 × 10−3) and follistatin (r = 0.540; P = 0.01) was also detected. Conclusion Pegylated-interferon-α modulates the production of activin-A and follistatin by the liver, which is reflected and can be detected at the serum level. Further studies are needed to explore the role of Peg-IFN-α based therapy on the production of activins and follistatin by the liver and immune cells.
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Single-nucleotide polymorphism of Toll-like receptor 4 and interleukin-10 in response to interferon-based therapy in Egyptian chronic hepatitis C patients. Arch Virol 2015; 160:2181-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2493-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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7
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Refaat B, Ashshi AM, El-Shemi AG, Azhar E. Activins and Follistatin in Chronic Hepatitis C and Its Treatment with Pegylated-Interferon-α Based Therapy. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:287640. [PMID: 25969625 PMCID: PMC4417604 DOI: 10.1155/2015/287640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pegylated-interferon-α based therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is considered suboptimal as not all patients respond to the treatment and it is associated with several side effects that could lead to dose reduction and/or termination of therapy. The currently used markers to monitor the response to treatment are based on viral kinetics and their performance in the prediction of treatment outcome is moderate and does not combine accuracy and their values have several limitations. Hence, the development of new sensitive and specific predictor markers could provide a useful tool for the clinicians and healthcare providers, especially in the new era of interferon-free therapy, for the classification of patients according to their response to the standard therapy and only subscribing the novel directly acting antiviral drugs to those who are anticipated not to respond to the conventional therapy and/or have absolute contraindications for its use. The importance of activins and follistatin in the regulation of immune system, liver biology, and pathology has recently emerged. This review appraises the up-to-date knowledge regarding the role of activins and follistatin in liver biology and immune system and their role in the pathophysiology of CHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassem Refaat
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-'Abdiyah Campus, P. O. Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Mohamed Ashshi
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-'Abdiyah Campus, P. O. Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel Galal El-Shemi
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-'Abdiyah Campus, P. O. Box 7607, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 6515, Egypt
| | - Esam Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Robinson MW, Swann R, Sigruener A, Barclay ST, Mills PR, McLauchlan J, Patel AH. Elevated interferon-stimulated gene transcription in peripheral blood mononuclear cells occurs in patients infected with genotype 1 but not genotype 3 hepatitis C virus. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22:384-90. [PMID: 25200131 PMCID: PMC4409080 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be classified into seven distinct genotypes that are associated with differing pathologies and respond differently to antiviral therapy. In the UK, genotype 1 and 3 are present in approximately equal proportions. Chronic infection with HCV genotype 3 is associated with increased liver steatosis and reduced peripheral total cholesterol levels, which potentially influences peripheral immune responses. To understand these differences, we investigated host gene transcription in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by microarray and quantitative PCR in patients with genotype 1 (n = 22) or genotype 3 infection (n = 22) and matched healthy controls (n = 15). Enrichment of genes involved in immune response and inflammatory pathways were present in patients infected with HCV genotype 1; however, no differences in genes involved in lipid or cholesterol metabolism were detected. This genotype-specific induction of genes is unrelated to IL28B genotype or previous treatment failure. Our data support the hypothesis that genotype 1 infection drives a skewed Type I interferon response and provides a foundation for future investigations into the host-pathogen interactions that underlie the genotype-specific clinical outcomes of chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Robinson
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgow, UK,School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland
| | - R Swann
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgow, UK,Gartnavel General Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and ClydeGlasgow, UK
| | - A Sigruener
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Regensburg University Medical CenterRegensburg, Germany
| | - S T Barclay
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow and ClydeGlasgow, UK
| | - P R Mills
- Gartnavel General Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and ClydeGlasgow, UK
| | - J McLauchlan
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgow, UK,
Correspondence: Arvind H. Patel, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, G11 5JR, UK., E-mail: , John Mclauchlan, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK., E-mail:
| | - A H Patel
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgow, UK,
Correspondence: Arvind H. Patel, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, G11 5JR, UK., E-mail: , John Mclauchlan, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK., E-mail:
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MacParland SA, Corkum CP, Burgess C, Karwowska S, Kroll W, Michalak TI. Differential expression of interferon alpha inducible genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus and healthy donors. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 25:545-52. [PMID: 25765354 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The impact of exposure to interferon-alpha (IFN-α) on gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected and healthy individuals was investigated to recognize whether their PBMC differ in expression of IFN-inducible genes (ISGs) following treatment with IFN-α2b. PBMC obtained from healthy and treatment-naïve HCV-infected patients were cultured with IFN-α2b for 30min, 2h, 4h and 72h, and gene expression was analyzed using mRNA microarray technology. IFN-α caused differential up-regulation of many known ISGs in PBMC from both HCV-infected and healthy subjects. In comparison to untreated controls, the highest augmentation in PBMC ISG expression occurred after 4-hour exposure to IFN-α2b in both groups. The analysis identified 84 transcripts, representing 64 known and 2 unknown genes, that were up-regulated by at least 5-fold in PBMC from infected and uninfected individuals. However, the expression of IFN-α inducible genes was impaired in the PBMC from HCV-infected individuals compared to healthy controls. This was due to an increased baseline expression of the transcripts in PBMC of HCV-infected patients. These findings expand our understanding of IFN-responses in HCV-infected individuals and suggest that functions of PBMC, which include immune effector cells, are altered in patients chronically infected with HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya A MacParland
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Christopher P Corkum
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3V6, Canada
| | | | - Sylwia Karwowska
- Novartis Oncology Companion Diagnostics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Werner Kroll
- Novartis Oncology Companion Diagnostics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tomasz I Michalak
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3V6, Canada.
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Gene expression profiling to predict and assess the consequences of therapy-induced virus eradication in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. J Virol 2014; 88:12254-64. [PMID: 25100847 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00775-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Systems biology has proven to be a powerful tool to identify reliable predictors of treatment response in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In the present study, we studied patients with chronic HCV infection who responded to interferon (IFN)-based therapy, as evidenced by an absence of HCV RNA at the end of treatment, and focused on two issues that have not received much attention. First, we evaluated whether specific genes or gene expression patterns in blood were able to distinguish responder patients with a viral relapse from responder patients who remained virus negative after cessation of treatment. We found that patients with chronic HCV infection who were sustained responders and relapsers after IFN-based therapy showed comparable baseline clinical parameters and immune compositions in blood. However, at baseline, the gene expression profiles of a set of 18 genes predicted treatment outcome with an accuracy of 94%. Second, we examined whether patients with successful therapy-induced clearance of HCV still exhibited gene expression patterns characteristic of HCV or whether normalization of their transcriptome was observed. We observed that the relatively high expression levels of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in patients with chronic HCV infection prior to therapy were reduced after successful IFN-based antiviral therapy (at 24 weeks of follow-up). These ISGs included the CXCL10, OAS1, IFI6, DDX60, TRIM5, and STAT1 genes. In addition, 1,428 differentially expressed non-ISGs were identified in paired pre- and posttreatment samples from sustained responders, which included genes involved in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, apoptosis, autophagy, and nucleic acid and protein metabolism. Interestingly, 1,424 genes with altered expression levels in responder patients after viral eradication were identified, in comparison to normal expression levels in healthy individuals. Additionally, aberrant expression levels of a subset of these genes, including the interleukin-32 (IL-32), IL-16, CCND3, and RASSF1 genes, were also observed at baseline. Our findings indicate that successful antiviral therapy for patients with chronic HCV infection does not lead to normalization of their blood transcriptional signature. The altered transcriptional activity may reflect HCV-induced liver damage in previously infected individuals. IMPORTANCE Tools to predict the efficacy of antiviral therapy for patients with HCV infection are important to select the optimal therapeutic strategy. Using a systems biology approach, we identify a set of 18 genes expressed in blood that predicts the recurrence of HCV RNA after cessation of therapy consisting of peginterferon and ribavirin. This set of genes may be applicable as a useful biomarker in clinical decision-making, since the number of genes included in the predictor is small and the correct prediction rate is high (94%). In addition, we observed that the blood transcriptional profile in patients with chronic HCV infection who were successfully treated is not normalized to the status observed in healthy individuals. Even 6 months after therapy-induced elimination of HCV RNA, gene expression profiles in blood are still altered in these patients with chronic HCV infection, strongly suggesting long-term modulation of immune parameters in previously infected patients.
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Serum Activins and Follistatin during the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Genotypes 1 and 4 and Their Correlations with Viral Load and Liver Enzymes: A Preliminary Report. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2014; 2014:628683. [PMID: 24799891 PMCID: PMC3995172 DOI: 10.1155/2014/628683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims. To measure the effect of pegylated interferon-α therapy on serum activin-A, activin-B, and follistatin and their correlation with viral load and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Methods. This study was cross-sectional and sera were collected from 165 participants classified into 7 groups: 40 healthy negative control, 33 treatment naïve patients as positive control, 19 patients at week 4, 22 at week 12, and 19 at week 24 of treatment initiation and 21 responders and 11 nonresponders at the end of 48-week treatment protocol. Serum candidate proteins were measured using ELISA and liver fibrosis was assessed by AST platelet ratio index (APRI). Results. CHC significantly increased activins and decreased follistatin compared to negative control (P < 0.05). Activin-A and follistatin levels returned to the levels of negative control group at weeks 4, 12, and 24 following treatment initiation and were significantly different from positive control (P < 0.05). Both proteins were significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Activin-A correlated positively and significantly with the viral load and APRI. Conclusion. CHC modulates serum activin-A and follistatin and they appear to be influenced by pegylated interferon-α therapy. Further studies are needed to explore the role of activins in CHC.
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Minutolo A, Conti B, Grelli S, Viscomi C, Labbadia G, Balsano C. Lymphocytes as liver damage mirror of HCV related adipogenesis deregulation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92343. [PMID: 24658135 PMCID: PMC3962393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection leads to a wide spectrum of liver diseases ranging from mild chronic hepatitis to end-stage cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. An intriguing aspect of the HCV infection is its close connection with lipid metabolism playing an important role in the HCV life cycle and in its pathogenesis. HCV is known to be a hepatotropic virus; however, it can also infect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The goal of the current investigation is to compare the adipogenesis profile of liver tissues to lymphocytes of HCV infected patients, in order to understand if PBMCs may reflect the alterations of intracellular pathways occurring during HCV-related liver steatosis. Using the Human Adipogenesis PCR Array, gene expression was analyzed in liver samples and PBMCs of chronic HCV+, HBV+ and Healthy Donors (HDs) patients. We observed a similar modulation of lipid metabolism in HCV+ and HBV+liver tissues and lymphoid, cells suggesting that PBMCs reflect the liver adipogenesis deregulation related to infection, even if the two viruses have a different impact in the regulation of the adipogenesis mechanisms. In particular, some genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation, as well as in cell transformation, were up-regulated, in a similar way, in both HCV models analyzed. Interestingly, these genes were positively correlated to virological and hepatic functional parameters of HCV+ patients. On the contrary, HBV+ patients displayed a completely different profile. PBMCs of HCV+ patients seem to be useful model to study how HCV-related lipid metabolism deregulation occurs in liver. The obtained data suggest some molecules as new possible biomarkers of HCV-related liver damage progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Minutolo
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Conti
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- U.O.C. Clinical Microbiology, Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Viscomi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Labbadia
- Department of Clinical and Medical Therapy, “Sapienza” University of Rome - Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Balsano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biology and Molecular Pathology (IBPM) – CNR (National Research Council), Rome, Italy
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