Impact of E-cadherin and its transcription regulators on assessing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Hassan M.; Aboushousha T.; Ahwany E.E.; Khalil H.K.; Montasser A.Y.; Hoda Abu Tale B.; El Kawy M.D.T.; Zoheiry M.

Journal: Minerva Gastroenterology

Publisher: Edizioni Minerva Medica

Publication Date: May 2021

Volume / Issue: Volume 67 / Issue 2

Pages: 175–182

ISSN: 27245985

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5985.20.02687-2

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 32677416

Document Type: Article


Authors and Affiliations

Hassan M., Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Aboushousha T., Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Ahwany E.E., Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Khalil H.K., Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Montasser A.Y., Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Hoda Abu Tale B., Department of Environmental Research, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; El Kawy M.D.T., Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Zoheiry M., Department of Immunology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt


Abstract

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis are still poorly recognized. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of chronic HCV infection on the expression of the major regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) including E-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and Twist2, in the Egyptian population. This will help to design more efficient strategies to treat HCV-Associated cirrhosis and carcinoma. METHODS: Fifty-nine liver biopsies from patients, that were serologically proven to be HCV positive, were included in the current study. Histopathological examination was done. Grading of hepatitis activity (A) and staging of fibrosis (F) were assessed using the META VIR Scoring System. Additionally, an immunohistochemical examination of E-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and Twist2 expression was performed. RESULTS: E-cadherin showed a significant progressive decline of its expression with increased fibrosis staging and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In contrast, Snail and Slug expression was positively associated with the stage of fibrosis and HCC. Meanwhile, Twist2 expression was not affected by the degree of hepatitis activity, the stage of fibrosis, or by the development of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: E-cadherin and its transcriptional regulators; Snail and Slug may serve as indicators for assessing the stage of fibrosis and the progression of HCC associated with HCV infection but not for assessing the degree of hepatitis activity. Therefore, the Snail family could be a promising target for designing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for chronic HCV infection and its serious comorbidities. © 2021 Iranian Association of Health Education and Health Promotion. All rights reserved.


Keywords

Cadherin; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; Hepacivirus; human; SNAI1 protein; TWIST2 protein; Cadherins; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Snail Family Transcription Factors; protein p53; transcription factor Slug; transcription factor Snail; transforming growth factor beta; Twist related protein 2; uvomorulin; adult; Article; biopsy; cancer growth; cancer staging; cell differentiation; cell migration; Child Pugh score; chronic hepatitis; chronic hepatitis C; controlled study; down regulation; echography; epithelial mesenchymal transition; Hepatitis C virus; histology; histopathology; human tissue; immunohistochemistry; liver carcinogenesis; liver cell carcinoma; major clinical study; male; microscopy; middle aged; nonalcoholic fatty liver; protein expression; schistosomiasis; scoring system; signal transduction; tumor growth; genetics; liver tumor


Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 2


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