Genetic polymorphisms in the miR-372 (rs12983273) and LncRNA HULC (rs7763881) genes and susceptibility to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

Interleukin-16 genetic polymorphisms in Guangxi Chinese with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Our previous study has reported that interleukin-16 (IL-16) genetic polymorphisms are significantly related to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatitis B virus-related (HBV-related) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As CHB, liver cirrhosis (LC), and HCC are development processes, this study aimed to determine genetic correlation of IL-16 polymorphisms with HBV-related LC in a Chinese population.

METHODS

IL-16 gene rs11556218, rs4072111, and rs4778889 polymorphism in 129 patients with HBV-related LC and 168 healthy individuals were genotyped via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). PCR-RFLP results were verified by DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

The allelic and genotypic distributions of IL-16 rs11556218, rs4072111, and rs4778889 polymorphisms in HBV-related LC patients showed no significant difference from those in healthy controls. Furthermore, no relationship was observed between the haplotype distribution and susceptibility to HBV-related LC.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provided the first evidence that the IL-16 genetic polymorphisms may not be associated with HBV-related LC risk.

MicroRNAs: Small Molecules with Significant Functions, Particularly in the Context of Viral Hepatitis B and C Infection

A MicroRNA (miRNA) is defined as a small molecule of non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Its molecular size is about 20 nucleotides (nt), and it acts on gene expression's regulation at the post-transcription level through binding to the 3'untranslated regions (UTR), coding sequences, or 5'UTR of the target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which leads to the suppression or degradation of the mRNA. In recent years, a huge evolution has identified the origin and function of miRNAs, focusing on their important effects in research and clinical applications. For example, microRNAs are key players in HCV infection and have important host cellular factors required for HCV replication and cell growth. Altered expression of miRNAs affects the pathogenicity associated with HCV infection through regulating different signaling pathways that control HCV/immunity interactions, proliferation, and cell death. On the other hand, circulating miRNAs can be used as novel biomarkers and diagnostic tools for HCV pathogenesis and early therapeutic response. Moreover, microRNAs (miRNA) have been involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression and advanced antiviral discovery. They regulate HBV/HCV replication and pathogenesis with different pathways involving facilitation, inhibition, activation of the immune system (innate and adaptive), and epigenetic modifications. In this short review, we will discuss how microRNAs can be used as prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools, especially for chronic hepatitis viruses (HBV and HCV), as well as how they could be used as new biomarkers during infection and advanced treatment.

Long non-coding RNA WAC antisense RNA 1 mediates hepatitis B virus replication <em>in vitro</em> by reinforcing miR-192-5p/ATG7-induced autophagy

Long non-coding RNA WAC antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA WAC-AS1) is involved in the replication of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The purpose of this study was to determine its functions and specific mechanism. The levels of lncRNA WAC-AS1, RNA (miR)-192-5p and were examined in serum of HBV-infected patients and in HepG2.2.15 cells using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Using the database starBase, the target binding sites of lncRNA WAC-AS1 and miR-192-5p were predicted and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay. The expression of pgRNA and HBV DNA was determined by qRT-PCR, while the levels of HBeAg and HBsAg were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, the light chain 3 (LC3) expression was analyzed. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to assess the expression of beclin-1, p62, and LC3I/II. Overexpression of lncRNA WAC-AS1, upregulation of ATG7. and downregulation of miR-192-5p were observed in the serum of HBV-infected patients and the in vitro model. miR-192-5p directly targets lncRNA WAC-AS1. LncRNA WAC-AS1 was downregulated in lncRNA WAC-AS1-shRNA‒transfected cells. miR-192-5p was upregulated in lncRNA WAC-AS1-shRNA-transfected cells and downregulated in cells transfected with a miR-192-5p inhibitor. In HepG2 2.15 cells, the downregulation of lncRNA WAC-AS1 inhibited HBV replication and autophagy. In contrast, the miR-192-5p inhibitor-transfected group exhibited the opposite results, and ATG7 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-192-5p mimic or lncRNA WAC-AS1-shRNA on HBV replication and cell autophagy. Our findings indicate that lncRNA WAC-AS1 regulates HBV replication by reinforcing the autophagy induced by miR-192-5p/ATG7. Consequently, lncRNA WAC-AS1 may serve as a therapeutically-promising target in HBV patients.

Long noncoding RNAs in hepatitis B virus replication and oncogenesis

Several diverse long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified to be involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and oncogenesis, especially those dysregulated in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of these dysregulated lncRNAs are modulated by the HBV X protein. The regulatory mechanisms of some lncRNAs in HBV replication and oncogenesis have been characterized. Genetic polymorphisms of several lncRNAs affecting HBV replication or oncogenesis have also been studied. The prognosis of HCC remains poor. It is important to identify novel tumor markers for early diagnosis and find more therapeutic targets for effective treatments of HCC. Some dysregulated lncRNAs in HBV-related HCC may become biomarkers for early diagnosis and/or the therapeutic targets of HCC. This mini-review summarizes these findings briefly, focusing on recent developments.