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Published on: October 1, 2015
Evaluation of serum concentrations of human hepatocyte growth factor during interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis
Mitsuhiko Moriyama1, Hiroshi Matsumura, Azuma Watanabe
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyagushi Kamimachi, Itsbashiku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan. moriyama@med.nihon-u.ac.jp
Insights
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) serum levels decreased after interferon (IFN) therapy for hepatitis C, indicating reduced HGF-producing cells in the liver. This finding offers clinical value for assessing treatment effects.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to chronic liver disease.
- Interferon (IFN) therapy is a treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
- Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a role in liver regeneration and cell growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations and interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
- To assess changes in HGF levels before, during, and after IFN treatment.
- To correlate HGF expression in liver tissue with serum HGF concentrations and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Serum HGF concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 94 chronic hepatitis C patients.
- HGF expression in liver tissue was assessed using immunoperoxidase staining.
- Measurements were taken before IFN therapy, immediately after, and at 6 months and 1 year post-therapy.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was observed between intra-hepatic HGF expression and serum HGF concentrations.
- Serum HGF levels decreased immediately after IFN therapy in most patients (83%).
- Sustained responders (SVRs) showed significantly lower serum HGF concentrations at 6 months and 1 year post-therapy compared to non-responders.
Conclusions:
- Serum HGF concentrations decline following IFN treatment for hepatitis C, irrespective of treatment response.
- The reduction in serum HGF is attributed to decreased HGF-producing mesenchymal cells in the liver.
- Serum HGF levels serve as a valuable clinical indicator for evaluating liver tissue changes after IFN therapy.
Abstract:
In this study, the serum concentrations of human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were examined to clarify the relationship between HGF and interferon (IFN) therapy for hepatitis C. The subjects were 94 patients with chronic hepatitis C who underwent liver biopsy at our institution from 1994 through 1996. These patients were treated with natural IFN-alpha, IFNalpha(2a) and IFNalpha(2b) for periods varying from 12 to 26 weeks. Serum levels of HGF were determined in individual patients just before and after the administration of IFN and at 6 months and 1 year thereafter. The serum concentration of HGF was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The intra-hepatic location of HGF was explored using an immunoperoxidase-staining method. A positive correlation was found between the degree of HGF expression in the liver and the serum HGF concentrations. The degree of HGF expression in the liver decreased in the virologically sustained responders (SVRs) following IFN therapy. The serum HGF concentrations immediately after IFN therapy were lower than those before therapy in 83% of the patients. The concentrations gradually rose thereafter in about 45% of the non-responders, while it remained low or declined further in about half of the patients in this group. In the SVRs, the serum HGF concentrations declined in 88% of patients immediately after IFN therapy. Thereafter, it remained equally low or declined further in 60% of the SVRs. The serum HGF concentrations at 6 months and 1 year after IFN therapy were significantly lower in the SVRs than in the non-responders. In conclusions, serum HGF concentrations declined following IFN treatment regardless of the virological outcome of treatment. The decrease in serum HGF concentrations results from a decrease in the number of mesenchymal cells producing HGF. Consequently, evaluation of the serum HGF concentration is of clinical value for assessing changes in liver tissues after IFN therapy.
