transforming-growth-factor-alpha and Hepatitis-C--Chronic

Epidermal growth factor receptor system plays a central hepato-protective and pro-regenerative role in liver. Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is an important autocrine growth regulator of hepatocytes that plays a role in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study was done on 40 core liver biopsies from patients with CHC, 20 liver specimens from HCC cases on top of CHC as well as five normal controls. All were immunohistochemically stained with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and TGF-α antibodies. Some selected HCC cases were submitted for FISH technique to detect EGFR gene alteration. By immunohistochemistry EGFR and TGF-α were overexpressed in HCC and cirrhotic cases compared to CHC cases without cirrhosis. Also, their expression was stronger in CHC cases with higher grades of activity and stages of fibrosis compared to lower ones. FISH positive results for EGFR were detected in 33.3% of the examined HCC cases. EGFR and TGF-α can be used as predictive markers for activity, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis in CHC patients. Overexpression of EGFR in HCC patients can be promising in selecting those who can get benefit from anti-EGFR target therapy.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; ErbB Receptors; Female; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Hepatocytes; Humans; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Transforming Growth Factor alpha

To assess whether a correlation exists between oxidative DNA damage occurring in chronic HCV-related hepatitis and expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TGF-alpha and c-myc.. The series included 37 patients with chronic active HCV-related hepatitis and 11 with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis. Eight-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in liver biopsies was quantified using an electrochemical detector. The mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, TGF-alpha and c-myc in liver specimens was detected by semi-quantitative comparative RT-PCR.. TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in hepatitis patients than in cirrhosis patients (P=0.05). IL-1beta was higher in cirrhosis patients (P=0.05). A significant correlation was found between TNF-alpha and staging (P=0.05) and between IL-1beta levels and grading (P=0.04). c-myc showed a significantly higher expression in cirrhosis patients (P=0.001). Eight-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were significantly higher in cirrhosis patients (P=0.05) and in HCV genotype 1 (P=0.03). Considering all patients, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were found to be correlated with genotype (P=0.04) and grading (P=0.007). Also multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation among the number of DNA adducts, TNF-alpha expression and HCV genotype (P=0.02).. In chronic HCV-related liver damage, oxidative DNA damage correlates with HCV genotype, grading and TNF-alpha levels. As HCV-related liver damage progresses, TNF-alpha levels drop while IL-1beta and c-myc levels increase, which may be relevant to liver carcinogenesis.

Topics: Adult; Cell Proliferation; Cytokines; DNA Damage; Female; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidation-Reduction; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; RNA, Messenger; Transforming Growth Factor alpha