Expression of microRNAs-21 and-223 in hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C virus infected Egyptian population

Abstract

Background:The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt is poor due to high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Moreover, the performance of laboratory markers for diagnosis of HCC at early stages has not been optimal. Objective: We aim to assess expression of miR -21 and miR-223 in HCC patients in the presence of HCV infection and correlate this expression with other clinical, laboratory features of HCC and other markers such as cyclase-associated protein2 (CAP2) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Subjects and Methods: The study included 40 cirrhotic, 40 HCC patients and 40 healthy subjects. Assessment of miRNAs was done using RT-PCR (Applied Biosystems). Results: Levels of miR-21 were higher in patient groups compared to control group and in HCC patients compared to other patients (p=0.001, 0.002 respectively). Serum levels of miR-223 showed no significant differences between cirrhotic patients and control group (p=0.2), while marked decrease in miR-223 expression levels was found in HCC patients compared to cirrhotic patients and control group (p=0.004,0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Altered serum miR-21 and -223 may play role in pathogenesis of HCC in the presence of HCV infection and might serve as a potential biomarker for detection of early HCC.