Abstract
MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is a liver abundant microRNA that is released upon liver injury. In the present study, we investigated the circulating miR-122 profiles in a Pakistani patients´ cohort with HCV chronic liver disease that was mainly based on HCV genotype 3 infections.From 222 patients with chronic HCV liver disease, classified as mild, moderate, or gross, serum samples were collected. Cell-free RNA was isolated and used for miR-122 quantification by qPCR. More than 60% of 222 patients were infected with HCV genotype 3. ALT values and HCV viral load showed no correlation with the HCV genotype. Circulating miR-122 levels were significantly upregulated in patients with cirrhosis. Notably, HCV patients with mild cirrhosis showed the most marked increase in serum miR-122 levels (p=0.0001). Furthermore, we proved a positive correlation (r=0.46) of miR-122 with the ALT values in patients with mild cirrhosis. Importantly, the increased miR-122 profiles of serum samples obtained from patients with mild, moderate, and gross cirrhosis did not depend on the HCV genotype. Importantly, our findings confirm that serum miR-122 levels are significantly upregulated in the HCV cirrhotic patients serving in particular as a biomarker for the non-advanced stages of cirrhosis, independently of the HCV genotype.
SUN-118 SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HCV GENOTYPE 3 INFECTION IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS: AN EXPERIENCE OF DEVELOPING WORLD
