An Increase in Expression of SOCS1 Gene with Increase in Hepatitis C Virus Viral Load

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem, with an estimated prevalence of >185 million infections worldwide. About 399,000 people die every year because of HCV-associated liver complications such as liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Pakistan has the second-highest prevalence of HCV. The treatment of this life-threatening disease has always been a challenge, but the recent development of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) has offered hope to so many patients with this infection. Although DAAs have dramatically improved virologic clearance, their cost is prohibitive in low economic settings, which is why interferon (IFN) is still used in Pakistan and other developing countries. Many genes-specifically, interferon stimulating genes-alter treatment response. This study recruited 93 participants and used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for the quantification of SOCS1 gene messenger RNA (mRNA) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 5 different groups: IFN treated, IFN resistant, IFN nonresponders treated with DAAs, untreated, and healthy controls. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.492) was observed between viral load and SOCS1 mRNA expression level. Our results suggest the over-expression of SOCS1 in PBMCs of IFN non-responders as compared to responders and DAA treated IFN non-responders.

Clinical correlation of liver function tests with suppression of cytokine signaling (SOCS1) gene expression in HCV infected patients: A real‐world clinical experience

“…By far, we have known that the expression of SOCS1 gene may act as a predictor of treatment outcome because of its high expression in treatment nonresponders. We have recently determined a moderate positive correlation between HCV viral load and SOCS1 gene expression . Furthermore, our research group has also confirmed the upregulation of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes in interferon and sofosbvir nonresponder patients …”

“…The expression of SOCS1 gene was normalized with housekeeping gene GAPDH gene used as an internal control. The expression of both SOCS1 and GAPDH was analyzed on real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) (Rotor Gene‐Qiagen) according to the method previously described in our study …”

“…The expression of both SOCS1 and GAPDH was analyzed on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Rotor Gene-Qiagen) according to the method previously described in our study. 8 Liver function enzymes were performed in chemistry analyzer (Mindray BS 200) and were correlated with gene expression using spearman correlation coefficient on SPSS statistical software.…”

Prevalence of thyroid stimulating hormone dysfunction among sofosbuvir‐treated HCV‐infected patients: A real‐world clinical experience

“…Some studies have also shown higher expression of interferon stimulatory genes (ISGs) in the livers of nonresponder patients compared with the patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR). IL28B also act as a predictor of treatment outcome, rs12979860 CC genotype is not associated with higher SVR rates in patients with rapid virological response (RVR) …”

“…IL28B also act as a predictor of treatment outcome, rs12979860 CC genotype is not associated with higher SVR rates in patients with rapid virological response (RVR). [25][26][27] This study has several strengths such as sufficient sample size and the use of sensitive and cutting-edge state of the art sensitive technology.…”