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El-Ahwany E, Hassan M, Elzallat M, Abdelsalam L, El-Sawy MAH, Seyam M. Association of Sat-a and Alu methylation status with HCV-induced chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Virus Res 2022; 321:198928. [PMID: 36100006 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of epigenetic and genetic abnormalities contributes together to the development of liver cancer. The methylation status of the repetitive elements (REs) in DNA has been investigated in a variety of human illnesses. However, the methylation patterns of Sat-α and Alu REs in chronic liver disease (CLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) have never been studied before. METHODOLOGY In this study, 3 groups of participants including 50 patients having HCV-induced CLD, 50 patients having HCV-induced HCC, and 46 healthy subjects were subjected to measurement of Sat-α and Alu methylation using the quantitative MethyLight assay. RESULTS Sat-α and Alu methylation percentages decreased significantly in both CLD and HCC, compared to control. Also, a significant Sat-α hypomethylation was detected in HCC, compared to CLD. In addition, Sat-α and Alu methylation showed a significant decline as lesion size grew. However, only Sat-α hypomethylation was significantly increased in association with portal vein thrombosis and the MELD score. Sat-α methylation percentage had the highest sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing HCC (100% and 84.4%) followed by α-fetoprotein (80% and 84.4%) and Alu methylation (66% and 61.5%). Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between Sat-α and Alu methylation. CONCLUSIONS Measuring Sat-α and Alu methylation provides us with a new tool for early detecting HCV-induced CLD and hepatocarcinogenesis. Sat-α has the potential to be utilized as an independent predictive parameter for HCC development and progression because of its ability to distinguish between CLD and HCC with their different MELD scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman El-Ahwany
- Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marwa Hassan
- Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Elzallat
- Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Lobna Abdelsalam
- Human Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Human Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Moataz Seyam
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
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Hassan M, El-Ahwany E, Elzallat M, Rahim AA, Abu-Taleb H, Abdelrahman Y, Hassanein M. Role of MicroRNAs in the Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Hepatitis Virus-Infected Egyptian Population. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.10902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The identification of miRNAs that play a role in the regulation of the viral life cycle and its related liver illness opens the door to the development of diagnostic biomarkers that can categorize patients at higher risk for developing end-stage liver disease. This study was designed to investigate the role of miRNAs in the development of viral hepatitis-induced chronic liver disease (CLD) in the Egyptian population, as well as their potential as possible diagnostic biomarkers for chronic hepatitis virus infection.
Methodology: The study involved 100 CLD patients; 55 cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 45 cases of non-viral hepatitis, in addition to 40 healthy controls. The expression of five miRNAs (miR‐30, miR‐122, miR‐296, miR‐351, and miR‐431) was assessed using real-time PCR.
Results: Serum levels of miR‐30, miR‐122, miR‐296, miR‐351, and miR‐431 were significantly higher in all patients than the control group (p<0.01). Also, they were significantly greater in viral hepatitis cases compared to the non-viral hepatitis group (p<0.01). The sensitivities and specificities of miR-122a, miR‐30, miR‐296, miR‐351, and miR‐431 were (85.71%, 83.33%), (82.35%, 83.33%), (85.71%, 69.44%), (88.64%, 75.76%), and (87.80%, 65.79%), respectively.
Conclusions: miR‐30, miR‐122, miR‐296, miR‐351, and miR‐431 play key roles in the development of CLD as a consequence of viral infection. So, they have the potential to be targeted for the early detection of chronic hepatitis virus infection and allow for exploring a new frontier in the discovery of innovative therapeutics to combat chronic viral infection and its serious life-threatening complications including liver cancer.
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Hassan M, Nasr SM, Elzallat M. Effect of CD133 Polymorphisms on the Risk of Developing Liver Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma Induced by Viral Hepatitis. Virus Res 2022; 312:198714. [PMID: 35181408 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD133 has been postulated to identify cancer stem cells (CSCs) and to play a role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of CD133 polymorphisms on viral hepatitis-induced liver cirrhosis, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility and prognosis. METHODOLOGY Cd133+ cells were counted and CD133 SNPs (rs3130, rs1029728, rs2240688, and rs2286455) were genotyped in HCV, HCV-liver cirrhosis, HCV-HCC, HBV, HBV-liver cirrhosis, and HBV-HCC patients and disease-free controls. RESULTS The percentage of CD133+ cells was observed to be significantly higher in HCV- and HBV-associated liver cirrhosis and HCC. Also, the CD133 rs3130 (C > T) TT, rs1029728 (A > G) GG, and rs2240688 (G > T) SNP TT genotypes were associated with a greater risk of liver cirrhosis and HCC development in viral hepatitis patients. Furthermore, in HCV-related HCC, rs3130 TT, rs1029728 GG, or rs2240688 TT genotypes were significantly associated with an increased number and size of focal lesions, but only the rs3130 TT genotype was associated with higher lesion size in HBV-associated HCC. In addition, individuals having rs3130 TT and rs1029728 GG genotypes had a significantly higher percentage of CD133+ cells. However, only HCV-infected individuals, carrying rs2240688 TT genotype, had an elevated level of CD133+ cells. CONCLUSIONS CD133 rs3130, rs1029728, and rs2240688 are genetic factors that can influence the susceptibility to liver cirrhosis and cancer, as well as the prognosis. As a result, CD133+ cells and CD133 polymorphisms might serve as potential predictors of these illnesses, laying the groundwork for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Hassan
- Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warraq El-Hadar, Giza 12411, Egypt.
| | - Sami Mohamed Nasr
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elzallat
- Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warraq El-Hadar, Giza 12411, Egypt
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Zhang K, Dong SS, Guo Y, Tang SH, Wu H, Yao S, Wang PF, Zhang K, Xue HZ, Huang W, Ding J, Yang TL. Causal Associations Between Blood Lipids and COVID-19 Risk: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2802-2810. [PMID: 34496635 PMCID: PMC8545250 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It has been reported that dyslipidemia is correlated with COVID-19, and blood lipids levels, including total cholesterol, HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels, were significantly associated with disease severity. However, the causalities of blood lipids on COVID-19 are not clear. Approach and Results: We performed 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to explore the causal effects of blood lipids on COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Using the outcome data from the UK Biobank (1221 cases and 4117 controls), we observed potential positive causal effects of dyslipidemia (odds ratio [OR], 1.27 [95% CI, 1.08–1.49], P=3.18×10−3), total cholesterol (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.07–1.32], P=8.54×10−4), and ApoB (apolipoprotein B; OR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.07–1.29], P=1.01×10−3) on COVID-19 susceptibility after Bonferroni correction. In addition, the effects of total cholesterol (OR, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00–1.02], P=2.29×10−2) and ApoB (OR, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00–1.02], P=2.22×10−2) on COVID-19 susceptibility were also identified using outcome data from the host genetics initiative (14 134 cases and 1 284 876 controls). Conclusions: In conclusion, we found that higher total cholesterol and ApoB levels might increase the risk of COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital, College of Medicine (K.Z., Y.G., P.-F.W., K.Z., H.-Z.X., W.H., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Shan-Shan Dong
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yan Guo
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital, College of Medicine (K.Z., Y.G., P.-F.W., K.Z., H.-Z.X., W.H., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Shi-Hao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Hao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Shi Yao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Peng-Fei Wang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital, College of Medicine (K.Z., Y.G., P.-F.W., K.Z., H.-Z.X., W.H., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital, College of Medicine (K.Z., Y.G., P.-F.W., K.Z., H.-Z.X., W.H., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Han-Zhong Xue
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital, College of Medicine (K.Z., Y.G., P.-F.W., K.Z., H.-Z.X., W.H., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital, College of Medicine (K.Z., Y.G., P.-F.W., K.Z., H.-Z.X., W.H., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jian Ding
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Tie-Lin Yang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital, College of Medicine (K.Z., Y.G., P.-F.W., K.Z., H.-Z.X., W.H., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology (K.Z., S.-S.D., Y.G., S.-H.T., H.W., S.Y., J.D., T.-L.Y.), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, PR China
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Hassan M, Aboushousha T, El-Ahwany E, Khalil HK, Montasser AY, Abu-Taleb H, El-Talkawy MD, Zoheiry M. Impact of E-cadherin and its transcription regulators on assessing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino) 2020; 67:175-182. [PMID: 32677416 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5985.20.02687-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis are still poorly recognized. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of chronic HCV infection on the expression of the major regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) including E-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and Twist2, in the Egyptian population. This will help to design more efficient strategies to treat HCV-associated cirrhosis and carcinoma. METHODS Fifty-nine liver biopsies from patients, that were serologically proven to be HCV positive, were included in the current study. Histopathological examination was done. Grading of hepatitis activity (A) and staging of fibrosis (F) were assessed using the METAVIR Scoring System. Additionally, an immunohistochemical examination of E-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and Twist2 expression was performed. RESULTS E-cadherin showed a significant progressive decline of its expression with increased fibrosis staging and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In contrast, Snail and Slug expression was positively associated with the stage of fibrosis and HCC. Meanwhile, Twist2 expression was not affected by the degree of hepatitis activity, the stage of fibrosis, or by the development of HCC. CONCLUSIONS E-cadherin and its transcriptional regulators; Snail and Slug may serve as indicators for assessing the stage of fibrosis and the progression of HCC associated with HCV infection but not for assessing the degree of hepatitis activity. Therefore, the Snail family could be a promising target for designing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for chronic HCV infection and its serious comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Hassan
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt -
| | - Tarek Aboushousha
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eman El-Ahwany
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Heba K Khalil
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Y Montasser
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hoda Abu-Taleb
- Department of Environmental Research, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed D El-Talkawy
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona Zoheiry
- Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
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Mourad L, El-Ahwany E, Zoheiry M, Abu-Taleb H, Hassan M, Ouf A, Rahim AA, Hassanien M, Zada S. Expression analysis of liver-specific circulating microRNAs in HCV-induced hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian patients. Cancer Biol Ther 2018; 19:400-406. [PMID: 29333940 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2018.1423922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Due to the absence of reliable and accurate biomarkers for the early detection of liver malignancy, circulating microRNAs have recently emerged as great candidates for prompt cancer identification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential of liver-specific circulating microRNAs as an accurate non-invasive diagnostic tool for early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODOLOGY A total of 165 patients were enrolled in this study and categorized into four main groups: 42 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) without cirrhosis, 45 CHC with cirrhosis (LC), 38 HCC with HCV patients, and 40 healthy controls. The expression profiles of seven miRNAs (miR-16, miR-34a, miR-125a, miR-139, miR-145, miR-199a, and miR-221) were analyzed using real-time PCR. RESULTS Serum levels of miRNA-125a, miRNA-139, miRNA-145, and miRNA199a were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in HCC than in both CHC and LC groups. On the other hand, no significant difference was shown in the expression of miR-16, miR-34a, and miR-221 between the CHC, LC, and HCC groups. MiR-16, miR-34a, and miR-221 were significantly elevated in the HCC group compared to the control group. MiR-34a showed the highest specificity and sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that the measurement of serum levels of miR-125a, miR-139, miR-145, and miR-199a can help to differentiate HCC from CHC and LC. Also, miR-16, miR-34a, and miR-221 serum levels would have a prognostic value. MiR-34a had the highest specificity and sensitivity, indicating that it might serve as a novel and potential non-invasive biomarker for HCV-induced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lobna Mourad
- a Biology Department , American University in Cairo , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Eman El-Ahwany
- b Immunology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Mona Zoheiry
- b Immunology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Hoda Abu-Taleb
- c Environmental Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Marwa Hassan
- b Immunology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Amged Ouf
- a Biology Department , American University in Cairo , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Ali Abdel Rahim
- d Hepato-Gastroenterology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Moataz Hassanien
- d Hepato-Gastroenterology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Suher Zada
- a Biology Department , American University in Cairo , Cairo , Egypt
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