title: Elevated Serum Levels of Osteopontin in HCV-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorders.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent evidences have also suggested that HCV infection contributes to development of autoimmune disorders and B-cell nonHodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Mechanisms by which HCV infection promotes B-cell NHL development remain unclear. Increased serum osteopontin (OPN) levels have been associated with several autoimmune diseases as well as a variety of cancers. However, the association between OPN and B-cell NHL or HCV-associated B-cell proliferation has not previously been reported. In the present study, we determined whether serum OPN differences were associated with HCV infection, type II mixed cryglobulinemia (MC) syndrome and B-cell NHL. Serum OPN levels were measured by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results show that high serum OPN levels are associated with B-cell NHL and HCV infection. Interestingly, highest serum OPN concentrations were found among HCV-infected patients with concomitant type II MC syndrome with and without B-cell NHL. These data indicate that OPN is involved in the lymphomagenesis, especially, in the context of HCV infection and autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Libra
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Indelicato
authors.forename: Vallì
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Re
authors.forename: Anna Linda
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zignego
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiocchetti
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malaponte
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dianzani
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nicoletti
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stivala
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McCubrey
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mazzarino
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053495:Osteopontin; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; C506895:SPP1 protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D053495:Osteopontin