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Insulin-like growth factor-1 mRNA isoforms and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor mRNA expression in chronic

Aldona Kasprzak1, Agnieszka Adamek1, Wiesława Przybyszewska1

  • 1Aldona Kasprzak, Wiesława Przybyszewska, Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland.

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|April 9, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection alters insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 mRNA isoform expression in the liver. These changes suggest HCV may impact IGF-1 splicing, affecting liver disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease.
  • Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 plays a role in cell growth and differentiation.
  • Alterations in IGF-1 signaling pathways have been implicated in various liver diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression levels of different insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 mRNA isoforms and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) mRNA in liver tissues from patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C).
  • To correlate IGF-1 and IGF-1R mRNA expression with histological liver damage and clinical parameters in CH-C patients.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyze IGF-1 mRNA isoforms (IGF-1A, IGF-1B, IGF-1C, P1, P2) and IGF-1R mRNA expression in liver biopsy specimens from 34 CH-C patients.
  • Expression levels were normalized to reference genes and compared between CH-C patients and controls.
  • Correlation analysis was performed between gene expression, histological grading/staging (METAVIR), and clinical data (alpha fetoprotein, HCV RNA, steatosis).

Main Results:

  • HCV-infected livers showed significantly higher relative expression of total IGF-1 mRNA and specific isoforms (P1, A, C) compared to controls.
  • IGF-1A mRNA isoform expression was predominant in both groups.
  • Expression of IGF-1 transcripts correlated significantly with each other and with histological grading (lower expression in G2), and negatively with clinical markers like alpha fetoprotein and HCV RNA.
  • IGF-1R mRNA expression positively correlated with liver grading and HCV RNA levels.

Conclusions:

  • HCV infection significantly alters the quantitative expression of IGF-1 mRNA isoforms in the liver.
  • The observed changes in IGF-1 splicing profiles suggest a potential role for HCV in modulating this pathway.
  • These alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease in CH-C patients.
Keywords:
Chronic hepatitis CInsulin-like growth factor-1 mRNA isoformsInsulin-like growth factor-1 receptorQuantitative polymerase chain reaction

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