Micro RNA 155 and Its Target Gene CTLA4 As a New Biomarker for Lymphocyte Activation in HCV-Induced Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||||
| Volume 67, Issue 12, December 2024, Page 327-336 PDF (1.29 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2024.318046.10338 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Noha Amin1; Rady Eid El-Araby2; Ola Badr Abo El Nil1; Randa Amin Osman3; Khaled Ragab4; Ayat SalahEldin Mohamed Hassan  5
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| 1Department of Hematology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute | ||||
| 2- Central lab, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute - Department of Basic and Clinical translation Sciences, Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine. Boston | ||||
| 3Clinical Pathology and Oncologic Laboratory Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. | ||||
| 4Hepatogastroenterology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute | ||||
| 5Electron Microscopy Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| The role of microRNA 155 (miRNA 155) and the immunological checkpoint cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) in chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are complex. The alterations in the expression levels or functions of CTLA-4 and miRNA 155 could influence the outcome of HCV infection by affecting the quality and persistence of the antiviral immune response. Here, we tried to investigate the relationships of miRNA 155 gene expression with CTLA-4, the regulator gene of lymphocyte activation in patients with HCC and chronic HCV infection to assess the interactions between these genes and lymphocyte activation and its contribution in liver disease progression. A case-control study included 80 subjects (20 healthy controls, 20 HCV patients without cirrhosis, 20 with liver cirrhosis, and 20 patients with HCC). The expression of miRNA 155 and CTLA-4 gene were measured by quantitative real-time qRT-PCR. The percentage of circulating regulatory T (T reg) cells expressing CD4 and CD25 was done by flow cytometry. Results revealed that miRNA 155 and CTLA-4 gene were upregulated with higher expression in HCC and liver cirrhosis patients compared to HCV without liver cirrhosis and control groups (p value < 0.05). Together with a significant increase in CD4+CD25+ T reg in HCC and liver cirrhosis patients compared to the HCV group (p value <0.05). In conclusion, miRNA 155 and CTLA-4 gene could be utilized as new biomarkers in HCV- induced liver fibrosis and HCC for further exploration of immunomodulatory strategies targeting these molecules to enhance antiviral immune responses and prevent hepatocarcinogenesis. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Micro RNA 155; CTLA-4; T lymphocytes; Liver cirrhosis; HCC | ||||
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