The HCV serum proteome: a search for fibrosis protein markers.
Liver fibrosis/cirrhosis is a serious health issue in hepatitis C virus (HCV-) infected patients and is currently diagnosed by the invasive liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to find useful fibrosis markers in HCV-patients' sera of different fibrosis degrees (METAVIR F0-F4) based on proteomics. Serum proteome profiles were created by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Profiles were analysed between different degrees of fibrosis (F0-F4) and between early (F0F1) and late (F2F3F4) fibrosis by univariate analyses (P <or= 0.05). Differentially expressed proteins were subsequently identified by mass spectrometry. Mac-2-binding protein, alpha-2-macroglobulin and hemopexin were increased in F4 opposite F0/F1. A-1-antitrypsin, leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein and fetuin-A were decreased in F4 opposite F0/F1. Late fibrosis was characterized by an increase in Mac-2-binding protein, alpha-2-macroglobulin and alpha-1B-glycoprotein expression and a decrease in haptoglobin expression. Mac-2-binding protein expression was confirmed by dot blot assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a secondary population. In conclusion, serum proteome analysis enabled the detection/identification of existing and new candidate markers in line with fibrosis progression in HCV-patients.
Cheung
K J
KJ
Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. kinjip.cheung@ugent.be
Tilleman
K
K
Deforce
D
D
Colle
I
I
Van Vlierberghe
H
H
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis*; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D020543:Proteome