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Serum golgi protein-73 (GP-73) in children with autoimmune hepatitis
Marwa Sabry Rizk1, Ola Galal Ali Behairy2, Amera Mohamed Abdel Salam Dawood3
1Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.
Insights
Serum Golgi protein-73 (GP-73) is elevated in children with autoimmune hepatitis, correlating with liver fibrosis severity. This biomarker shows promise for non-invasive assessment and management of pediatric autoimmune liver diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hepatology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Non-invasive biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis in pediatric autoimmune hepatitis are limited.
- Liver biopsy is the current gold standard but carries risks for children.
- Serum Golgi protein-73 (GP-73) has emerged as a potential non-invasive marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between serum GP-73 levels and the degree of hepatic fibrosis in children with autoimmune liver diseases.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of GP-73 for identifying autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and severe fibrosis in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 100 children: 50 with AIH and 50 healthy controls.
- Serum GP-73 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Correlation with histological activity index and fibrosis stage was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Children with AIH exhibited significantly higher serum GP-73 levels compared to controls (median 110.7 ng/L vs. 21.3 ng/L, p < 0.001).
- GP-73 levels strongly correlated with histological activity (r=0.879, p < 0.001) and fibrosis stage (r=0.647, p < 0.001).
- A cutoff of >49 ng/L demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity for AIH detection; >124.6 ng/L identified severe fibrosis with 100% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity.
Conclusions:
- Serum GP-73 is significantly elevated in children with autoimmune hepatitis.
- GP-73 levels strongly correlate with histological grading and staging of liver fibrosis.
- GP-73 is a reliable non-invasive biomarker for assessing disease severity and guiding management in pediatric autoimmune liver diseases.
Abstract:
To assess the correlation between serum Golgi protein-73 (GP-73) and the degree of hepatic fibrosis in children with autoimmune liver diseases. This case-control study included 100 children. Group A involved 50 children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), aged 2-17 years (mean 11.3 ± 2.7 years), while Group B included 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent clinical assessment, abdominal ultrasonography, laboratory investigations, and measurement of serum GP-73 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Children with AIH had significantly higher serum GP-73 levels than controls (median 110.7 ng/L vs. 21.3 ng/L, p < 0.001). GP-73 levels showed a strong positive correlation with both the histological activity index (r = 0.879, p < 0.001) and the stage of fibrosis (r = 0.647, p < 0.001). At a cutoff level > 49 ng/L, GP-73 distinguished AIH cases with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. For identifying severe fibrosis, a cutoff > 124.6 ng/L yielded 100% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity (area under the ROC curve = 0.995, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Serum GP-73 levels are significantly elevated in children with autoimmune hepatitis and correlate strongly with both histological grading and staging. GP-73 may serve as a reliable non-invasive marker for assessing disease severity and guiding clinical management in pediatric autoimmune liver diseases.
What Is Known:
• Non-invasive biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis in children with autoimmune hepatitis are still limited, and liver biopsy remains the gold standard despite its risks.
What Is New:
• Serum GP-73 is significantly elevated in pediatric AIH, strongly correlates with fibrosis severity, and may serve as a reliable non-invasive biomarker.
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