Circulating microRNA-122 in HCV cirrhotic patients with high frequency of genotype 3

PLoS One. 2022 May 26;17(5):e0268526. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268526. eCollection 2022.

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 severe, 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, our data of increased miR-122 levels in serum samples obtained from a patient cohort with a high prevalence of chronic genotype 3 HCV infection confirmed the previous findings collected from cohorts with a high prevalence of genotype 1. Therefore, we suggest that miR-122 increase after HCV infection does not depend on the HCV genotype. In conclusion, 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.

MeSH terms

  • Circulating MicroRNA*
  • Genotype
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C* / complications
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics

Substances

  • Circulating MicroRNA
  • MIRN122 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.