Interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract: Antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon is reviewed. Alpha-interferon, both recombinant alpha-2a, -2b and human lymphoblastoid interferon given at a dose of ≥3MU t.i.w. for 6–12 months will result in normalisation of ALT levels complete response) in some 50–60% of treated patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Approximately half of the complete responders to interferon will relapse within 6 months once treatment is withdrawn (non-sustained response). Longer treatment schedules (6 vs. 12 months) seem to diminish the relapse rate and increase the percentage of sustained response. In patients with sustained response to interferon treatment with continuously normal ALT levels ≥6 months after treatment stop a concomitant eradication of the viraemia is usually seen, whereas a non-sustained or non-response to interferon usually will indicate a continuous viraemia. Factors predictive of a favourable response are low pretreatment HCV RNA levels in serum, genotypes other than type II according to Okamoto, short disease duration, female gender and less pronounced liver damage, whereas high serum HCV RNA levels, having genotype II and cirrhosis, are predictive of a less favourable response. Patients with a sustained response and eradication of the viraemia will also improve their liver inflammation with diminishing scores for portal inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, lobular inflammation and also fibrosis after treatment. For non-responders and non-sustained responders to interferon, ribavirin especially in combination with interferon will offer some hope for the future.     

Increased serum oxysterol concentrations in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Oxidative stress and dysregulated cholesterol metabolism are characteristic features of chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHC). Therefore, we analyzed serum oxysterol profiles in CHC patients and examined the significance of oxysterols in CHC. The concentrations of 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 4β-hydroxycholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol as determined by LC–ESI–MS/MS were significantly elevated by +236%, +29% and +44%, respectively, in CHC patients compared with controls. Moreover, the elevated levels were significantly decreased by anti-viral therapy using PEGylated-interferon and ribavirin for 3 months. In contrast, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, 27-hydroxycholesterol and 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one concentrations were not affected by CHC or anti-viral treatment. These results suggest that some oxysterols that are elevated in CHC are produced by cholesterol autoxidation due to oxidative stress or inflammation in the liver. Oxysterols may represent novel targets for the inhibition of disease progression and the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis in CHC patients.     

基于临床数据构建慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化的新型预测评分：S-risk score

基于临床数据构建一种预测慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化的无创诊断模型。

收集2021年1月至2023年7月宁波市医疗中心李惠利医院收治的165例CHB患者病例资料作回顾性分析,根据肝活检病理结果将患者分为无肝纤维化组（S0,n = 22）和肝纤维化组（≥S1,n = 143）。收集患者的血清学指标和临床数据,运用单因素和多因素 logitstic回归分析筛选出独立预测指标并建立模型,同时采用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）评价模型的预测效能。

单因素分析结果显示,两组患者在白蛋白、谷草转氨酶、甘油三酯、总胆汁酸、胆碱酯酶、凝血酶原时间、 BMI、血清Ⅳ胶原和血清透明质酸等指标中存在差异（P＜0.05）。通过logistic多因素的回归分析构建肝纤维化模型S-risk score = −4.30+0.12×白蛋白+0.02×谷草转氨酶−0.05×碱性磷酸酶+0.29×甘油三酯+0.06×总胆汁酸−0.47×凝血酶原时间+0.20×BMI+0.03×血清Ⅳ胶原测定+0.02×血清透明质酸。该评分下的ROC曲线下的面积为0.866,其预测肝纤维化的准确性明显优于APRI和FIB-4两项评分模型。

我们构建的S-risk score模型对CHB患者肝纤维化有良好的预测能力,其预测准确性均高于APRI和FIB-4两项评分模型。

     

Micronuclei formation in liver fibrosis samples from patients infected by hepatitis C virus

Genetic research on fibrosis outset and its progression in chronic hepatitis (CH) by hepatitis C virus (HCV) are limited. The lack of cytogenetic data led us to investigate the presence of micronuclei (MNi), as a sign of genomic damage. Hepatocytes of hepatic parenchyma from 62 cases diagnosed with CH associated with HCV and displaying different degrees of fibrosis (F1-F4) were analyzed. These data were compared to 15 cases without fibrosis (F0). Twelve healthy liver parenchyma samples were included as control. All samples were obtained from paraffin-embedded archival material. Micronucleated hepatocytes (MN-Heps) were analyzed through Feulgen/Fast-green staining. Results showed that the rates of MN-Heps in the F4 group were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and higher than those in the control group. Like results were also obtained on comparing F4 with F0, F1, F2 and F3 cases. Conversely, differences were not significant (p > 0.05) on comparing F0, F1, F2, F3, one against the other, as well as individual versus control. Although chromosomal losses in CH were detected, it was shown that liver parenchyma with fibrosis in the initial stages (F1-F3) cannot be considered cytogenetically abnormal.     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in southern Iran from 2016 to 2019

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The treatment of HCV infection has become more complicated due to various genotypes and subtypes of HCV. The treatment of HCV has made significant advances with direct-acting antivirals. However, for the choice of medicine or the combination of drugs for hepatitis C, it is imperative to detect and discriminate the crucial HCV genotypes. The main objective of this study was to determine the pattern of circulating HCV genotypes in southern Iran, from 2016 until 2019. The other aim of the study was to determine possible associations of patients’ risk factors with HCV genotypes. A total of 803 serum samples were collected in 4 years (2016–2019) from patients with HCV antibody positive results. A total of 728 serum samples were HCV-RNA positive. The prevalence of HCV genotypes was detected using the genotype-specific RT-PCR test for serum samples obtained from 615 patients. The HCV genotype 1 (G1) was the most prevalent (48.8%) genotype in the area, with G1a, G1b, and mixed G1a/b representing 38.4%, 10.1%, and 0.3%, respectively. Genotype 3a was the next most prevalent (47.2%). Mixed genotypes 1a/3a were detected in 22 (3.6%) and finally G4 was found in 3 (0.5%) patients. The other HCV genotypes were not detected in any patient. Genotype 1 (1a and 1b alone, 1a/1b and 1a/3a coinfections) is the most prevalent HCV genotype in southern Iran. HCV G1 shows a significantly higher rate in people under 40 years old.     

Non-human primate surrogate model of hepatitis C virus infection

More than 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected by HCV, which is the causative agent of chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and finally liver cancer. Although animal models of viral hepatitis are a prerequisite for the evaluation of antiviral and vaccine efficacy, the restricted host range of HCV has hampered the development of a suitable small animal model of HCV infection. Use of the chimpanzee, the only animal known to be susceptible to HCV infection, is limited by ethical and financial restrictions. In this regard GBV-B, being closely related to HCV, appears to be a promising non-human surrogate model for the study of HCV infection. This review describes the characteristic of GBV-B infection of New World monkeys, and discusses current issues concerning the GBV-B model and its future directions.     

Association between the epidermal growth factor rs4444903 G/G genotype and advanced fibrosis at a young age in chronic hepatitis C

Background

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) rs4444903 A > G polymorphism has been associated with the development of liver cancer, which commonly complicates cirrhosis of viral origin; however, whether this polymorphism might be associated with fibrosis progression in chronic viral hepatitis is unknown. The present study was performed to assess the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the rs4444903 A > G polymorphism in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus HCV infection and to ascertain whether this polymorphism might be an independent predictor of the degree of fibrosis.

Methods

An RFLP-PCR technique was used to genotype 645 patients (211 with cirrhosis); 528 were referred for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C, and 117 were transplanted for HCV-related end stage liver disease. A group of 428 healthy subjects served as a control. All the subjects were of Caucasian ethnicity.

Results

The EGF rs4444903 A > G polymorphism genotype frequencies in HCV chronic infected patients were as follows: A/A = 227 (35.3%), A/G = 328 (50.9%), and G/G = 90 (14.8%). Genotype frequencies were found to differ between patients with an Ishak staging score ? 2 (A/A = 117, A/G = 157, G/G = 34) and patients with a score > 2 (A/A = 110, A/G = 171, G/G = 56, p = 0.038). A highly significant linear relationship between increasing stage scores and EGF genotype was detected in younger patients (A/A: 2.02 ± 0.18, A/G: 2.55 ± 0.17, G/G: 3.00 ± 0.32, p = 0.008). However, no significant association was detected between the stage score and EGF genotype in older patients (A/A: 3.79 ± 0.19, A/G: 3.64 ± 0.15, G/G: 3.98 ± 0.30 p = 0.579).

Conclusions

The EGF rs4444903 A > G polymorphism may facilitate liver fibrosis progression in Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis C, especially in younger patients.     

Circulating microRNAs associated with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients

A major challenge in hepatitis C research is the detection of early potential for progressive liver disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression and can be biomarkers of pathological processes. In this study, we compared circulating miRNAs identified in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients presenting two extremes of liver disease: mild/moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis. The patients in the cirrhosis group subsequently developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We identified 163 mature miRNAs in the mild/moderate fibrosis group and 171 in the cirrhosis group, with 144 in common to both groups. Differential expression analysis revealed 5 upregulated miRNAs and 2 downregulated miRNAs in the cirrhosis group relative to the mild/moderate fibrosis group. Functional analyses of regulatory networks (target gene and miRNA) identified gene categories involved in cell cycle biological processes and metabolic pathways related to cell cycle, cancer, and apoptosis. These results suggest that the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs observed in this work (miR-215-5p, miR-483-5p, miR-193b-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-885-5p, miR-26b-5p and miR -197-3p) may be candidates for biomarkers in the prognosis of liver disease.     

Performance of diagnostic biomarkers in predicting liver fibrosis among hepatitis C virus-infected Egyptian children

The aim of the present study was to identify specific markers that mirror liver fibrosis progression as an alternative to biopsy when biopsy is contraindicated, especially in children. After liver biopsies were performed, serum samples from 30 hepatitis C virus (HCV) paediatric patients (8-14 years) were analysed and compared with samples from 30 healthy subjects. All subjects were tested for the presence of serum anti-HCV antibodies. Direct biomarkers for liver fibrosis, including transforming growth factor-β1, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III amino-terminal peptide (PIIINP) and osteopontin (OPN), were measured. The indirect biomarkers aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, albumin and bilirubin were also tested. The results revealed a significant increase in the serum marker levels in HCV-infected children compared with the healthy group, whereas albumin levels exhibited a significant decrease. Significantly higher levels of PIIINP, TIMP-1, OPN and HA were detected in HCV-infected children with moderate to severe fibrosis compared with children with mild fibrosis (p < 0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of these direct biomarkers, represented by sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value, emphasises the utility of PIIINP, TIMP-1, OPN and HA as indicators of liver fibrosis among HCV-infected children.     

The natural course of chronic hepatitis C

Abstract: In 1988, investigators from the Chiron Company (USA) detected the non-A, non-B agent and named it hepatitis C virus (HCV). An anti-HCV antibody assay (ELISA) and subsequently confirmation tests (immunoblot and polymerase chain reaction) were developed. HCV exposure results in a chronic infection in a majority of cases. This chronic infection is associated with slowly progressive chronic liver disease. Chronic HCV infection is, like HBV, also associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Most HCV carriers are infected by parenteral routes. Intravenous drug users have the highest risk of becoming infected. Intrafamiliar spread is seen in certain parts of the world but sexual and perinatal transmission does not play an important role in spreading the infection. Antiviral therapy (alpha-interferon) in patients with chronic hepatitis C will normalize liver function tests in about 25% of the cases.     

慢性乙肝肝硬化患者肝性脑病不同分级与肝脏储备功能的相关性

回顾性研究分析慢性乙肝肝硬化并发不同分级的肝性脑病（HE）患者的临床特点,探究影响HE患者预后的因素。

将380例HE患者根据临床症状进行分级,分为1～4级。分析各级HE患者的性别、年龄、实验室检查情况、终末期肝病模型（MELD）、谷草转氨酶与血小板计数比值（APRI）及白蛋白与总胆红素比值（ALBI）。采用Spearman相关性分析轻、重型HE的影响因素,并使用多因素Logistic回归法分析HE预后的影响因素,最后选用ROC曲线来评估各种独立变量对HE预后的预测价值。

1～4级HE患者组间性别、年龄差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）,而血氨、MELD、APRI和ALB差异均有统计学差异（均P＜0.05）。轻、重型HE患者中性粒细胞计数和淋巴细胞计数的比值（NLR）、血氨、总胆红素（TBil）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、MELD、APRI及ALBI差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。相关性分析显示,NLR、PLR、血氨、TBIL、ALT、AST及TNF-α是重型HE的独立影响因素。血氨及MELD评分与肝脏储备功能的相关性最高。NLR、血氨、TBil、TNF-α、高MELD评分及合并电解质紊乱均为HE预后的独立影响因素。ROC曲线分析显示,NLR的曲线下面积最大,其灵敏度最高、特异度也最大。

MELD、APRI和ALBI可用来评估不同分级HE患者的肝脏储备功能。在轻、重型HE中,血氨及MELD评分影响最大。在评估预后影响因素中,NLR水平可作为HE患者预后不良的危险因素。

     

不同年龄慢性乙肝病毒感染者的肝组织病理特点

目的探讨不同年龄阶段慢性乙肝病毒感染者的肝组织病理特点。方法 288例慢性HBV感染者行1 s肝穿刺,标本均送免疫组化双标记及HE染色、Masson染色、网状纤维染色,进一步分析其病理特点。结果不同年龄根据谷丙转氨酶（ALT）水平[≤1正常值上限（ULN）、1-2 ULN、≥2 ULN]有抗病毒治疗指征比例：≤20岁组为18.2%、66.7%、80.0%;21-30岁组为18.8%、22.7%、57.1%;31-40岁组为37.0%、47.1%、84.6%;≥41岁组为44.2%、51.6%、71.4%。结论对于年龄〈30岁的慢性乙肝病毒感染者,若ALT大于正常上限也应考虑抗病毒治疗,对于ALT正常但年龄大于30岁、ALT1-2ULN、有肝硬化肝癌家族史、合并肥胖或脂肪肝的慢性乙肝病毒感染者行肝穿刺可有效指导抗病毒治疗时机。     

Lipid droplets and hepatitis C virus infection

Lipid droplets play an important part in the life cycle of hepatitis C virus and also are markers for steatosis, which is a common condition that arises during infection. These storage organelles are targeted by the viral core protein, which forms the capsid shell. Attachment of core to lipid droplets requires a C-terminal domain within the protein that is highly conserved between different virus isolates. In infected cells, the presence of core on lipid droplets creates loci that contain viral RNA and non-structural proteins involved in genome replication. Such locations may represent sites for initiating assembly and production of nascent virions. In addition to utilising lipid droplets as part the virus life cycle, hepatitis C virus induces their accumulation in infected hepatocytes. The mechanisms involved in this process are not understood but evidence from patient-based studies and model systems suggests the involvement of both viral and host factors.     

Immunological and molecular aspects of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Chronic C hepatitis represents a major health problem worldwide, mainly because progression of the tissue damage leads to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of liver fibrosis. In particular we consider some immunologic aspects that regulate the interaction between HCV and the host immune defense. Reflections are made about the roles played by the host capacity to respond to the viral infection during therapy and the consequences of the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins leading to the development of fibrosis. The involvement of inflammatory cytokines in regulating the proteolytic remodeling of the liver and the ECM turn-over is essential for the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), that have an important role in the progression of liver fibrosis. Finally, we analyze one of the aspects involved in the activation of the HSCs, namely the proteolytic remodeling of the surrounding environment.     

干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗效及对肝功能和肝纤维化指标的影响

目的:探讨干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎(Chronic Hepatitis C,CHC)的临床疗效以及对肝功能和肝纤维化指标的影响。方法:收集我院2011年3月至2012年3月收治的88例CHC患者,随机平均分为两组,对照组单用干扰素,观察组采用干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗,比较两组治疗后的临床疗效以及治疗前后肝功能和肝纤维化指标变化情况。结果:观察组治疗总有效率为90.91%,明显高于对照组的68.18%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组治疗后ALT和AST分别为(70.24±7.94)和(79.45±9.72),HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ和LN分别为(76.87±10.32)、(79.45±9.72)、(79.76±8.00)和(118.41±16.97),均明显高于治疗前和对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎疗效显著,可明显改善患者肝功能,具有较好的抗纤维化作用,值得临床推广和应用。     

Chimpanzees in hepatitis C virus research: 1998–2007

Background  Chimpanzees have been widely used in hepatitis C virus (HCV) research, but their endangered status and high financial and ethical costs have prompted a closer review.
Methods  One hundred and nine articles published in 1998–2007 were analyzed for the number of chimpanzees involved, experimental procedures, objectives and other relevant issues.
Results  The articles described the use of 852 chimpanzees, but accounting for likely multiple uses, the number of individual chimpanzees involved here is estimated to be approximately 500. Most articles addressed immunology and inoculation studies. A significant portion of studies lasted for several months or years. Approximately one half of the individual chimpanzees were each used in 2–10 studies.
Conclusions  Significant financial and scientific resources have been expended in these chimpanzee HCV studies. Discussion addresses troublesome questions presented by some of the reviewed articles, including statistical validity, repeatability, and biological relevance of this model. These concerns merit attention as future approaches to HCV research and research priorities are considered.     

Autoimmune hepatitis and hepatititis C virus infection

Abstract: The identification of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the availability of serological tests for the identification of its infection has deeply changed our view of autoimmune hepatitis. In fact, we have learned that autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear, anti-smooth muscle and anti-liver kidney microsomes, cannot be considered specific any longer for the diagnosis, of autoimmune hepatitis, since they are frequently found in association with HCV. The new clinical entity characterized by the association of autoantibodies with signs of HCV infection is presently under evaluation. This, in order to understand what is the prevalent mechanism, viral or autoimmune, operating in these patients and to chose the best treatment regimen.     

The role of interleukin-22 in hepatitis C virus infection

In this study, we analyzed if IL-22 displays, similar to other IL-10 like cytokines such as IL-28A, antiviral properties in hepatic cells. Using RT-PCR and immunoblotting, we demonstrated that hepatic cell lines and primary hepatocytes express the functional IL-22 receptor complex consisting of IL-22R1 and IL-10R2. Hepatic IL-22 mRNA expression as measured by quantitative PCR was up-regulated in autoimmune and viral hepatitis compared to cholestatic liver diseases, while IL-22 serum levels did not differ significantly between patients with viral hepatitis and normal controls. IL-22 did not significantly change the expression levels of IFN-α/-β and of the antiviral proteins MxA and 2′,5′-OAS. Consequently, it had in comparison to IFN-α no relevant antiviral activity in in vitro models of HCV replication and infection. Taken together, hepatic IL-22 expression is up-regulated in viral hepatitis but IL-22 does not directly regulate antiviral proteins and has, in contrast to IFN-α, no effect on HCV replication.     

Pathology of hepatitis C

Abstract: The basic morphological patterns of acute or chronic viral hepatitides are very similar, irrespective of the causative hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D or E. In addition, however, acute and chronic hepatitis C shows characteristic, although not pathognomonic histological changes. These consist of lymphoid aggregates in portal tracts, sometimes with germinal centers, damage of bile duct epithelium, and micro- or macrovesicular steatosis of hepatocytes. A combination of two of these three characteristic alterations is seen in over half of the patients with chronic hepatitis C and is helpful in the histological diagnosis of the disease.