The Role of MicroRNA in Hepatitis C Infection

Abstract

Background:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major cause for chronic hepatitis.Interferons (IFNs) are a large family of proteins involved in antiviral defense and used for HCV treatment.Large numbers of Egyptian patients are not responding to the combined pegylated interferon alpha /ribavirin therapy.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are class of post transcription regulators that play important role in HCV life cycle and interfering with interferon signaling or production. Aim: To find a predictive measure for the response to the combined pegylated interferon alpha /ribavirin therapyusing miR-20a, miR-155, miR-21 and miR-196b with evaluating MxA-mRNA expression levelsas a positive control for interferon action. Methods:This study was conducted on 100 patients, 50 responders and50 non-responders with HCV and 20 healthy controls. MiRNAs and MxA-mRNA were isolated from serum and blood sequentially and the expression levels were quantified using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: All the studied miRNAs;miR-20a, miR-155, miR-21 and miR-196b were up regulated innon-responderscompared to responders patients. These data were confirmed by the inhibition of MxA-mRNA levels in non-responders compared to responders patients. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the cut-off value for responding to thecombined pegylated interferon alpha /ribavirin therapyfor miR-20a, miR-155, miR-21 and miR-196b is >1, >2.26, >1.57and >2.49 respectively.