title: The HCV serum proteome: a search for fibrosis protein markers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. kinjip.cheung@ugent.be
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tilleman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deforce
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Colle
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Vlierberghe
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D020543:Proteome