Associations of MicroRNA-34a Expression Profile; Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Disease Progression in Hepatitis C Patients

Matta, Amal M.; El-Galil, Reem R. Abd; Tabl, Hala A.; El-Marakby, Heba-Allah F.; Elgazar, Ahmed S.

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2022.268100

Associations of MicroRNA-34a Expression Profile; Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Disease Progression in Hepatitis C Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2022.268100

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Noninvasive indicators for the diagnosis and follow-up of individuals with liver disorders may be found in circulating microRNAs. One such miRNA is miR-34a, which has been linked to the development of HCC. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly vascular tumor in which angiogenesis plays a critical role in its development. The best-known angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has been proven to have a pivotal role in the development of HCC. Objectives: To evaluate the expression profile of miRNA-34a and the serum levels of VEGF both in patients and control group and to find their association with disease progression in HCV patients and evaluate their significance as novel markers for HCV induced HCC. Subjects and Method: Including 32 CHC, 23 CHC with liver cirrhosis (LC), 20 CHC with HCC patients, and 15 healthy controls, a total of 90 people participated in the study. Real-time PCR was used to examine the miR-34a expression profile. ELISA was used to assess VEGF concentrations in serum. Results: Serum miR-34a down-regulation was observed in patients’ groups compared to control group, with lower expression in HCV infection with HCC and HCV infection with LC groups than the HCV infected group. Also VEGF level increased significantly in groups HCV infection with LC and with HCC compared to the control group, in groups HCV infection with LC and with HCC groups compared to the HCV infected group and in group HCV infection with HCC compared to HCV infection with LC group. Conclusion: Expression profile of miRNA-34a and serum levels of VEGF can be used as novel markers for HCV inducing HCC with prediction of disease progression in CHC patients.

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