Role of Tgf–?1and Gremlin–1in the Pathogenesis of  Chronic HCV Infection and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Areej Atiyah Hussein; Basim Mohammed Khashman; Saad Muhmood Hussain

Volume : III, Issue : IX, September - 2013

Role of Tgf–?1and Gremlin–1in the Pathogenesis of Chronic HCV Infection and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Areej Atiyah Hussein, Basim Mohammed Khashman, Saad Muhmood Hussain

Abstract :

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has evolved various strategies to counteract the host immune response and to establish persistent infection. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF)–β1 and related factors are multifunctional cytokines that regulate growth, differentiation, adhesion and apoptosis of various cells plays critical roles in morphogenesis of various tissues in early emyonic development. Gremlin, secreted by fioblasts, inhibited bone morphogenic protein (BMP), which mediates stem cell maturation into adult functioning hepatocytes. Objective: To elucidate the role of transforming growth factor beta–1 and gremlin–1 in chronic HCV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis. Methods: Thirty five formalin–fixed of paraffin–embedded liver samples obtained from Liver and Digestive System Hospital and private laboratories in Baghdad were included in this study. In addition, thirteen apparently normal liver autopsies were used as control group. Liver tissue sections were cut at 4 µm and placed on positively–charged slides, for the detection of transforming growth factor beta (TGF–β1) and gremlin–1 using immunohistochemistry technique (IHC). Results: In the present study, the expression of transforming growth factor–β1in tissues patients with chronic hepatitis C was 72.72% (16 out of 22) and gremlin 1 was 81.81% (18 out of 22), while in patient with hepatocellular carcinoma was 80% (8 out of 10), 90% (9 out of 10) respectively. There were no significant differences between TGF–β1and gremlin–1 markers with age, gender, histological active index, grade and stage of fiosis. All control cases were negative for two markers. In conclusion, TGF–β1 and Gremlin–1 participates in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma, and they might play a possible role as a bio–diagnostic marker in hepatitis C.