Expression of microRNA-155 precursor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Hepatitis C patients after antiviral treatment.
Chronic hepatitis caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main source of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extra-hepatic diseases. After treatment-induced resolution of hepatitis C, the persistence of HCV RNA in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is often observed. An expression of the precursor of microRNA-155 (miR-155) called BIC can be the factor responsible for a course of HCV infection. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between BIC expression and HCV RNA status in sera and PBMCs samples of 64 hepatitis C patients treated with interferon alpha(IFN-alpha)+ribavirin. High expression of BIC in PBMCs was determined in 100% of patients that harbored HCV RNA in serum and PBMCs. Further, we found that 83% of PBMCs samples were BIC-positive in a group of patients that eliminated HCV RNA only from serum. The lowest expression of BIC was found in patients that eliminated HCV RNA from both serum and PBMCs.
Sidorkiewicz
M
M
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Mazowiecka 6/8, Lodz, Poland. msidor@zdn.am.lodz.pl
Grek
M
M
Jozwiak
B
B
Majda-Stanislawska
E
E
Piekarska
A
A
Bartkowiak
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; C524942:MIRN155 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin