Hepatitis C virus RNA localization in human carotid plaques

Abstract

a b s t r a c tBackground: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has certain characteristics that enable it to play an important role in atherosclerosis. Some studies report its association with an increased risk of carotid artery plaque. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HCV genomic sequences and replicative intermediates in plaque tissues. Study Design: A cohort of consecutive, prospectively recruited patients with HCV infection and chronic ischemic heart disease from the Cardiology, Vascular Surgery and Hepatology Units of a University Hospital in Florence, Italy, were studied. Results: Positive-strand HCV RNA was detected in seven carotid plaque tissues from anti-HCV-positive patients and was not detected in the nine carotid plaque tissues obtained from anti-HCV-negative patients. In three patients, HCV RNA was found in carotid plaque and not in serum. HCV replicative intermediates were detected in three plaque samples. Direct sequencing of HCV RNA from the plaque and serum showed HCV genotypes 2 (five cases) and 1 (two cases). Conclusions: The novel finding of HCV RNA sequences in plaque tissue strongly suggests an active local infection. This in turn makes it conceivable that the virus may exert local action in carotid atherosclerosis.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection Increases the Risk of Developing Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…It remains unclear whether the atherogenic properties are associated with hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance that accompanies HCV infection or HCV infection per se. HCV RNA has been detected in carotid plaques from anti-HCV-positive patients [52]. The findings from our meta-analysis are subject to several limitations.…”

Evidence for a vascular microbiome and its role in vessel health and disease

“…Hepatitis C and HIV have been of particular interest given their known associations with accelerated atherosclerosis [55,56]. Hepatitis C RNA has been detected within carotid plaques [55,57] and HIV protein p24 localized to SMCs of coronary plaques [58], suggesting that true vascular infection may occur. The results of major viral studies in atherosclerosis are summarized in Table 2.…”

Hepatitis C virus infection increases the risk of developing peripheral arterial disease: A 9-year population-based cohort study

“…Furthermore, localization of HCV RNA in human carotid plaques provides strong evidence of the association between HCV infection and atherosclerosis [19]. Because PAD is an atherosclerotic process affecting non-coronary arteries, the relationship between HCV infection and PAD warrants further attention.…”