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MMP-2 gene expression at mRNA level in HBV and HCV infected patients
A A Rezaeian1,2, R Yaghobi3, B Geramizadeh3
1Department of Microbiology, Fars Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran.
Abstract:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) family play a determinative role in the development of liver fibrosis, metastasis, unregulated angiogenesis, and tumor growth. In this study the possible association between the MMP-2 gene expression level and risk of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections were evaluated in liver transplanted patients. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) liver tissue samples were collected from 225 transplant patients between years 2012 and 2016. The presence of HBV and HCV infections were analyzed in patients studied using molecular and immunologic diagnostic protocols according to the instructions of the manufacturers. Patients were divided to HBV, HCV, and HBV with HCV co-infected groups. A healthy control group was also included. For the quantitative analysis of MMP-2 mRNA gene expression an in-house-SYBR Green Real-Time PCR method was performed. The level of MMP-2 mRNA expression showed a significant increase in all studied viral hepatitis infected patient groups in comparing with healthy controls. The MMP-2 gene expression level increased in HBV infected patients when compared with HCV and HBV with HCV co-infected patients, but not significantly. Results showed a significant increase in MMP-2 expression level in all viral hepatitis single and coinfected liver transplanted patients when compared with the controls and also in HBV infected patients when compered with other viral infected ones, need to confirm in further completed studies.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) gene expression is elevated in liver transplant patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. MMP-2 levels were highest in HBV patients compared to others.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-2, are implicated in liver fibrosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, and tumor growth.
- Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are significant risk factors for liver disease progression and complications in liver transplant recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) gene expression and the risk of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in liver transplanted patients.
- To compare MMP-2 mRNA levels among patients with HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV co-infection versus healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of MMP-2 mRNA gene expression using an in-house SYBR Green Real-Time PCR method.
- Analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) liver tissue samples from 225 liver transplant patients (2012-2016).
- Detection of HBV and HCV infections using molecular and immunologic diagnostic protocols.
Main Results:
- MMP-2 mRNA expression was significantly increased in all viral hepatitis-infected patient groups compared to healthy controls.
- MMP-2 gene expression levels were higher in HBV-infected patients compared to HCV and HBV/HCV co-infected patients, though not significantly.
- A significant upregulation of MMP-2 was observed in all viral hepatitis single and co-infected liver transplant patients versus controls.
Conclusions:
- Elevated MMP-2 gene expression is associated with viral hepatitis infections (HBV, HCV) in liver transplant recipients.
- HBV infection may be linked to higher MMP-2 expression compared to HCV infection, warranting further investigation.
- MMP-2 may serve as a potential biomarker in managing viral hepatitis in liver transplant patients.
