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Suzuki T, Matsuura K, Nagura Y, Ito K, Ogawa S, Kawamura H, Fujiwara K, Nagaoka K, Iio E, Watanabe T, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. MicroRNA-223-3p levels in serum-derived extracellular vesicles predict regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis after hepatitis C virus eradication by direct-acting antiviral agents. J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:719-731. [PMID: 38739200 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-024-02115-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We retrospectively investigated microRNA (miRNA) levels in serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as predictive indicators for regression of liver fibrosis, after achievement of a sustained virological response (SVR) by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS The study subjects were recruited from a historical cohort of 108 CHC patients whose pretreatment serum Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) levels were ≥ 2.0 cut-off index (COI). We classified patients with M2BPGi levels < 1.76 and ≥ 1.76 COI at 2 years after the end of treatment (EOT) into the regression and non-regression groups, respectively. Eleven of the patients were assigned to the discovery set, and we comprehensively investigated the miRNAs contained in serum-derived EVs at 24 weeks after the EOT (EOT24W), using RNA sequencing. The remaining 97 patients were assigned to the validation set, and reproducibility was verified by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Through analysis of the discovery and validation sets, we identified miR-223-3p and miR-1290 as candidate predictors. Subsequently, we analyzed various clinical data, including these candidate miRNAs. Multivariate analyses revealed that the levels of miR-223-3p at EOT24W were significantly associated with regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis (Odds ratio: 1.380; P = 0.024). Consistent results were obtained, even when the serum M2BPGi levels were aligned by propensity score matching and in patients with advanced M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis (pretreatment M2BPGi levels ≥ 3.3 COI). CONCLUSIONS The miR-223-3p level in serum-derived EVs at EOT24W is a feasible predictor of regression of M2BPGi-based liver fibrosis after achievement of an SVR by DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan.
| | - Yoshihito Nagura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kasugai Municipal Hospital, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Kyoko Ito
- Department of Virology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shintaro Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hayato Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Etsuko Iio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kataoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Suzuki T, Matsuura K, Nagura Y, Kawamura H, Fujiwara K, Ogawa S, Nagaoka K, Iio E, Watanabe T, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. Serum Angiopoietin-2 Levels Predict the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma following Hepatitis C Virus Eradication Using Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents. Oncology 2024; 102:611-620. [PMID: 38211572 DOI: 10.1159/000536154] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our previous studies showed that serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) levels predicted improvement in liver fibrosis following sustained virological response (SVR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) obtained with administration of with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). These levels were evaluated retrospectively as predictive indicators of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development following SVR. METHODS We enrolled individuals from a historical cohort of 89 chronic HCV patients without history of HCC at baseline and with SVR following DAA therapy and had baseline serum levels of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer ≥2.0 cut-off index (C.O.I.). RESULTS Multivariate analyses revealed that only the Ang-2 level at 24 weeks following the end of treatment (EOT24W) was significantly related to HCC development (hazard ratio 2.27; p = 0.003). This result was reproduced in individuals without history of HCC and with advanced liver fibrosis (M2BPGi level ≥3.3 C.O.I. at baseline). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for the future risk of developing HCC within 5 years of follow-up (5y-HCC) showed the best cut-off Ang-2 level at the EOT24W was 2,780 pg/mL, and significantly stratified the cumulative incidence of HCC (≥2,780 vs. < 2,780 pg/mL, 5y-HCC: 45.5 vs. 8.2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS At the EOT24W, serum Ang-2 level predicts the likelihood of developing HCC following SVR to DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Nagura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kasugai Municipal Hospital, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Hayato Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shintaro Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Etsuko Iio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kataoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Mondelli MU, Ottolini S, Oliviero B, Mantovani S, Cerino A, Mele D, Varchetta S. Hepatitis C Virus and the Host: A Mutual Endurance Leaving Indelible Scars in the Host's Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:268. [PMID: 38203436 PMCID: PMC10779088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010268] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has spread worldwide, and it is responsible for potentially severe chronic liver disease and primary liver cancer. Chronic infection remains for life if not spontaneously eliminated and viral persistence profoundly impairs the efficiency of the host's immunity. Attempts have been made to develop an effective vaccine, but efficacy trials have met with failure. The availability of highly efficacious direct-acting antivirals (DAA) has created hope for the progressive elimination of chronic HCV infections; however, this approach requires a monumental global effort. HCV elicits a prompt innate immune response in the host, characterized by a robust production of interferon-α (IFN-α), although interference in IFN-α signaling by HCV proteins may curb this effect. The late appearance of largely ineffective neutralizing antibodies and the progressive exhaustion of T cells, particularly CD8 T cells, result in the inability to eradicate the virus in most infected patients. Moreover, an HCV cure resulting from DAA treatment does not completely restore the normal immunologic homeostasis. Here, we discuss the main immunological features of immune responses to HCV and the epigenetic scars that chronic viral persistence leaves behind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario U. Mondelli
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Ottolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Barbara Oliviero
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefania Mantovani
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Antonella Cerino
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Dalila Mele
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefania Varchetta
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (B.O.); (S.M.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (S.V.)
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