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Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers for Viral Hepatitis B and C
Dimitri Loureiro1, Issam Tout1, Stéphanie Narguet1
1Department of Hepatology, Université de Paris, CRI, INSERM UMR 1149, AP-HP Hôpital Beaujon, 92110 Clichy, France.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show altered expression in chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections, indicating potential for early fibrosis diagnosis. These biomarkers could help identify patients needing timely treatment to prevent liver cancer.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections affect millions globally, leading to severe liver disease.
- Early diagnosis of liver fibrosis is crucial for managing these infections and preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of cellular processes, and their dysregulation is implicated in fibrosis progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the modulation of specific miRNAs in the context of HBV and HCV-induced liver fibrosis.
- To explore the potential of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing liver fibrosis.
- To identify patients with advanced fibrosis for timely treatment and surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating miRNA expression in chronic hepatitis B and C.
- Analysis of reported changes in serum miRNA levels during fibrosis progression.
- Evaluation of miRNA profiles associated with HBV and HCV infection stages.
Main Results:
- Specific miRNAs (e.g., miR-122, miR-185, miR-29, miR-143, miR-21, miR-223) show distinct expression patterns in HBV and HCV fibrosis.
- In chronic hepatitis B (CHB), miR-122 and miR-185 increase, while miR-29, -143, -21, and miR-223 decrease.
- In chronic hepatitis C (CHC), miR-143 and miR-223 increase, while miR-122 decreases during fibrosis progression.
Conclusions:
- MiRNA expression profiles are altered during liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and C.
- These miRNAs hold promise as non-invasive biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis severity.
- Utilizing miRNA biomarkers can aid in patient stratification for effective treatment and monitoring of liver disease progression.
Abstract:
Around 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection and 71 million with hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection. Both HBV and HCV infections can lead to liver complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To take care of these chronically infected patients, one strategy is to diagnose the early stage of fibrosis in order to treat them as soon as possible to decrease the risk of HCC development. microRNAs (or miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which regulate many cellular processes in metazoans. Their expressions were frequently modulated by up- or down-regulation during fibrosis progression. In the serum of patients with HBV chronic infection (CHB), miR-122 and miR-185 expressions are increased, while miR-29, -143, -21 and miR-223 expressions are decreased during fibrosis progression. In the serum of patients with HCV chronic infection (CHC), miR-143 and miR-223 expressions are increased, while miR-122 expression is decreased during fibrosis progression. This review aims to summarize current knowledge of principal miRNAs modulation involved in fibrosis progression during chronic hepatitis B/C infections. Furthermore, we also discuss the potential use of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose fibrosis with the intention of prioritizing patients with advanced fibrosis for treatment and surveillance.
