An Increase in Expression of SOCS1 Gene with Increase in Hepatitis C Virus Viral Load

Expression Profiling of the Tripartite Motif Family Genes in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most prevalent pathogens which causes significant morbidity and mortality in 2% of the world's population. Several interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are involved in HCV clearance by interacting with the viral proteins. Among these ISGs, the tripartite motif (TRIM) family genes are elevated during HCV infection. This study aims to evaluate the expression of three TRIM family genes in chronic hepatitis C patients, distributed among different groups, including TRIM11, TRIM14, and TRIM25. A total of 242 participants were recruited in this study, including 182 infected patients, 37 naïve individuals, and 23 control individuals. Out of 182 infected patients, 100 achieved sustained virologic response (SVR), 61 achieved rapid virologic response (RVR), and 21 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), showing no response to the given treatments. Our results indicate highest expression levels of TRIM mRNA transcripts in the RVR group with the highest increase of 7.5 folds in TRIM25, 6.68 folds in TRIM14, followed by the data from patients of the SVR group. The elevation was also evident in other groups, i.e., SVR and HCC, in different patterns among all the three TRIM genes. In addition to elevation in expression levels, a linear correlation is observed between the TRIM mRNAs and viral loads of HCV. These results showed the potential role of TRIM family genes in HCV restriction.

Before Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C Virus: Evaluation of Core Protein R70Q and L/C91M Substitutions in Chronically Infected Brazilian Patients Unresponsive to IFN and/or RBV

Although chronic hepatitis C has been effectively treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the use of conventional therapy with peg-interferon (Peg-IFN) or (predominantly) ribavirin (RBV), remains widespread. R70Q/H and L/C91M amino acid substitutions in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein may modulate responses to IFN and/or RBV, and are associated with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), insulin resistance, and liver steatosis. We evaluated the R70Q/H and L/C91M substitutions, clinical and epidemiological profiles, and risk factors of Brazilian patients chronically infected with HCV subgenotypes 1a and 1b (HCV-GT1a and HCV-GT1b) unresponsive to IFN and/or RBV therapy. Sequencing and pyrosequencing analyses and sociodemographic and clinical predictive variables were used to assess the relationship between R70Q/H and L/C91M substitutions. Leukocyte counts, ALT levels, and ALT/AST ratios were significantly reduced in treated individuals, but more of these patients had advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. L91M was more prevalent (19.7%), occurring only in HCV-GT1b, followed by R70Q/P (11.5%) and R70P (1.4%). R70Q/P exhibited higher mean AST, ALT, and GGT values, whereas L91M showed higher mean GGT values. Pyrosequencing of the L91M position revealed mutant subpopulations in 43.75% of samples.

The role of SOCS proteins in the development of virus- induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Liver cancer has become one of the most common cancers and has a high mortality rate. Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common liver cancers, and its occurrence and development process are associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.

Main body

The serious consequences of chronic hepatitis virus infections are related to the viral invasion strategy. Furthermore, the viral escape mechanism has evolved during long-term struggles with the host. Studies have increasingly shown that suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins participate in the viral escape process. SOCS proteins play an important role in regulating cytokine signaling, particularly the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway. Cytokines stimulate the expression of SOCS proteins, in turn, SOCS proteins inhibit cytokine signaling by blocking the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, thereby achieving homeostasis. By utilizing SOCS proteins, chronic hepatitis virus infection may destroy the host’s antiviral responses to achieve persistent infection.

Conclusions

This review provides recent knowledge regarding the role of SOCS proteins during chronic hepatitis virus infection and provides some new ideas for the future treatment of chronic hepatitis.

MicroRNA-345-5p regulates depression by targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling 1

BACKGROUND/AIMS

MicroRNA(miR)-345-5p plays a key role in various cellular functions. However, the function of miR-345-5p in resistant depression (TRD) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and mechanism of miR-345-5p in the treatment of resistance depression (TRD).

METHODS

RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-345-5p in BV-2 microglia. CCK-8 method and flow cytometry were used for cell viability and apoptosis of microglia. Target gene prediction and screening, and luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the downstream target gene of miR-345-5p. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of related proteins.

RESULTS

miR-345-5p increased the cell viability of BV-2 microglia and the expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the conditioned medium of microglia treated with miR-345-5p reduced the cell viability of HT22 hippocampal cells and caused S-phase arrest. The miR-345-5p-treated microglia induced apoptosis by regulating the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, pro-caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, SOCS1 was a direct target of miR-345-5p, and overexpression of SOCS1 was able to reverse the proapoptotic effect of miR-345-5p on activation of microglia on hippocampal neurons.

CONCLUSION

miR-345-5p induced inflammatory damage in hippocampal neurons by activating microglia. MiR-345-5p may be an effective target for TRD therapy.

Clinical Correlation of Blood Cells with Suppression of Cytokine Signaling Gene Expression in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients

Both innate and adaptive immune responses of host are regulated by fine balance between negative and positive signals to ensure their termination and onset on entry of pathogens. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) genes inhibit cytokine signaling pathways and regulate innate and adaptive immunity. SOCS genes perform their function by positive and negative regulation of macrophages, development and differentiation of T cells, and activation of dendritic cells. Although the role of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients has been well studied, the correlation of SOCS1 gene expression with complete blood count in HCV-positive patients has not been established yet. We observed a weak positive correlation of SOCS1 gene expression with hemoglobin (Hb) and platelet count, whereas leukocytes were negatively correlated with the expression. This study also provides a comparative analysis of complete blood count between healthy subjects and HCV-positive subjects. The findings suggest that Hb and platelet count were significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in HCV patients than in healthy subjects.

Clinical correlation of liver function tests with suppression of cytokine signaling (SOCS1) gene expression in HCV infected patients: A real-world clinical experience

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver complications globally and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) is a gene triggered by cytokines that activates transcription of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway and negatively regulates Janus kinase-signal transducer. Several studies have shown that the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes negatively regulate the response of HCV infection to interferon therapy and interferon-free regimens. It has been reported that liver function enzymes elevate in CHC patients but the association of SOCS1 gene expression with LFTs haven't been studied. This study recruited 114 CHC patients and 112 normal healthy participants and analyzed the correlation of SOCS1 gene expression and liver function enzymes (LFEs). Herein, we observed that the expression of SOCS1 gene had a positive correlation with LFEs.

Role of SOCS1 Gene in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Patients: A Mini-Review

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem, with an estimated bioburden of >180 million. Every year about 350,000 people die from HCV-associated liver complications such as cirrhosis and cancer (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma). Pakistan has the second highest prevalence of HCV. Treatment of this life-threatening disease has been a challenge, but recent developments in direct-acting antivirals have offered hope to many. Although direct-acting antivirals have dramatically improved viral clearance, their exorbitant costs put them out of reach for patients in developing countries. Thus, interferon therapy is still being used in Pakistan. Specifically, interferon-stimulating genes can alter treatment response. For example, interferons induce expression of many antiviral genes through signal transducer and activator of transcription/Janus kinase signaling. Suppressor of cytokine signaling genes play an eminent role in the inhibition of cytokine signaling pathways and regulation of both adaptive and innate immunity. The present review examines expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 in HCV-treated patients.

Prevalence of thyroid stimulating hormone dysfunction among sofosbuvir-treated HCV-infected patients: A real-world clinical experience

Thyroid dysfunctions occur frequently among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Accumulating evidence has shown the higher incidence of thyroid dysfunctions in interferon-treated patients that was previously the standard of care therapy. However, the prevalence of thyroid disorders has not been studied in the recently developed interferon-free regimens or direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs-treated patients. We recruited 37 patients who had just completed 6 months long sofosbuvir-based treatment, and 26 interferon-treated patients were also included in the study. Serum thyrotropin level of all participants was measured using VIDAS. We observed thyroid dysfunctions in both pegylated interferon-experienced and DAA drug-experienced patients but the prevalence of hyperthyroidism was found significantly higher in patients treated with interferon-based regimen as compared with interferon-free regimens. This high prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with HCV posttreatment highlights the need for regular periodic screening of patients during the treatment.