Aberrant GSTP1 promoter methylation predicts short-term prognosis in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

Accelerators of chronic hepatitis B fibrosis cirrhosis CCND1 gene expression and promoter hypomethylation

This study investigates the relationship between Cyclin D1 (CCND1) gene and promoter methylation and liver fibrosis (LF)/liver cirrhosis (LC)induced by chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are collected from patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatitis B-related LF/LC, as well as from healthy individuals. The mRNA levels and promoter methylation of the CCND1 gene are measured. Single-cell analysis is performed to determine the cell types primarily expressing the CCND1 gene in LF/LC. The GSE84044 dataset is utilized to validate the experimental results. Single-gene GSEA and immune infiltration analyses are conducted to identify significant pathways and immune characteristics associated with the CCND1 gene. The mRNA level of CCND1 in PBMCs from patients with hepatitis B-related LF/LC is elevated compared to those with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and healthy individuals, while the promoter methylation level of CCND1 is reduced. Single-cell analysis indicates high expression of CCND1 in M2 macrophages (M2) and T cells. The GSE84044 dataset confirms higher CCND1 mRNA levels in liver tissues from patients with CHB-related LF/LC compared to CHB patients. Single-gene GSEA analysis associates CCND1 expression with natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, T cell receptor signaling, and B cell receptor signaling pathways. Increased expression of CCND1 enhances immune infiltration during the fibrosis/cirrhosis process of CHB. The CCND1 expression and promoter methylation may be involved in the process of LF/LC in CHB and may be related to the immune response in the course of the disease.

A Clinical Predictive Model Based on SOCS3 Promoter Methylation to Predict the Prognosis of Acute-on-Chronic Hepatitis B Liver Failure

PURPOSE

The study aimed to quantitatively detect the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 3 promoter methylation levels, investigate the relationship between SOCS3 methylation and gene expression, and construct a prognosis prediction model combined with clinical indicators for Acute-on-chronic Hepatitis B Liver Failure (ACHBLF).

METHODS

A total of 135 ACHBLF patients were enrolled and randomly divided into the training cohort and validation cohort. The SOCS3 mRNA and promoter methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ACHBLF patients were quantitative measured. A clinical prediction model was established based on SOCS3 promoter methylation and clinical indicators. The prediction model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test, and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

In this study, compared with ACHBLF survivals, SOCS3 showed lower mRNA levels and higher methylation levels in ACHBLF non-survivals. The SOCS3 methylation rates were negatively correlated with SOCS3 mRNA levels. PT-INR, IL-6, and percentage of the methylation reference (PMR) value (SOCS3) were used to establish a clinical model for predicting ACHBLF patients' prognosis. The results of AUC, the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test and decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that the prediction model had good clinical applicability. The prediction model was visualized.

CONCLUSION

A prognosis prediction model for ACHBLF was developed based on PMR (SOCS3), PT-INR and IL-6, which may have a good potential clinical application value.

The value of promoter methylation of fibroblast factor 21 (FGF21) in predicting the course of chronic hepatitis B and the occurrence of oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HBV. This study aimed to investigate the value of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) promoter methylation in the occurrence and development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) oxidative stress.

METHODS

A total of 241 participants including 221 patients with CHB and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Methylation level of FGF21 promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was quantitatively determined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess oxidative stress in CHB patients.

RESULTS

Our study shows that the FGF21 methylation level was significantly lower in HBeAg-positive CHB patients compared to HBeAg-negative CHB patients and HCs (P < 0.0001). The oxidative stress of HBeAg-positive CHB patients was more severe. Further correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the methylation level of FGF21 promoter and the occurrence of oxidative stress in CHB patients. In addition, assessment based on FGF21 promoter methylation level proved effective for predicting oxidative stress occurrence and disease progression among CHB patients.

CONCLUSION

FGF21 promoter methylation level is an important marker for predicting oxidative stress and disease progression in patients with CHB.

Association of CXCR4 gene expression and promoter methylation with chronic hepatitis B-related fibrosis/cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection remains a major public health concern. In this study, the diagnostic capability of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 promoter methylation in patients with CHB-associated liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was evaluated.

METHODS

Two hundred participants were recruited, including 25 healthy controls (HCs), 60 patients with CHB and 115 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver fibrosis/LC. Researchers monitored the methylation and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, we utilized single cell sequencing to analyze the cell types highly expressing CXCR4 in HBV-related liver fibrosis/LC.

RESULTS

HBV-related fibrosis/cirrhosis patients exhibited a significant elevation in the expression level of CXCR4 mRNA in PBMCs compared to CHB ones. The CXCR4 promoter showed a significantly lower methylation level in patients with CHB-related fibrosis/cirrhosis than in patients with CHB. Additionally, the diagnostic area under the area under the curve (AUC) of methylation of the CXCR4 promoter for CHB -related liver fibrosis/LC exceeded liver stiffness measurement (LSM), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4). Furthermore, single-cell analysis demonstrated that CXCR4 expression is closely associated with Natural Killer cells(NK cells), T lymphocytes (T cells), and monocytes.

CONCLUSION

The low methylation of the CXCR4 promoter holds promise as a non-invasive biomarker for detecting CHB-associated liver fibrosis/LC.

Hypermethylation of the glutathione peroxidase 4 promoter predicts poor prognosis in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a syn-drome with a high short-term mortality rate, and its prognosis is critical in clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the occurrence and development of HBV-ACLF and its prognostic value for 90-day mortality.

METHODS

The expression levels of GPX4, oxidative stress-related molecules and inflammatory cytokines in serum or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 289 participants were determined by RT-qPCR or ELISA, and the methylation level of GPX4 promoter in PBMCs was determined by MethyLight.

RESULTS

The expression levels of GPX4 in the PBMCs and serum of HBV-ACLF patients were lower than those in non-HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (non-HBV ACLF) patients, patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and healthy control (HC) individuals, while the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter was greater. In HBV-ACLF patients, the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter is correlated with oxidative stress, inflammation-related molecules, and some clinicopathological indicators. The methylation level of the GPX4 promoter was identified as an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality in HBV-ACLF patients and yielded a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) than the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in predicting 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

The GPX4 promoter methylation level has promising potential as a predictor of 90-day mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF.

Hypermethylation of the glutathione peroxidase 4 gene promoter is associated with the occurrence of immune tolerance phase in chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem that seriously threatens human health. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) in the occurrence and development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS

A total of 169 participants including 137 patients with CHB and 32 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. We detected the expression of GPX4 and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The methylation level of GPX4 gene promoter in PBMCs was detected by TaqMan probe-based quantitative methylation-specific PCR (MethyLight). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the serum levels of GPX4, IFN-β, oxidative stress (OS) related molecules, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

RESULTS

The expression levels of GPX4 in PBMCs and serum of CHB patients were lower than those of HCs, but the methylation levels of GPX4 promoter were higher than those of HCs, especially in patients at the immune tolerance phase. STING mRNA expression levels in PBMCs and serum IFN-β levels of patients at the immune activation phase and reactivation phase of CHB were higher than those at other clinical phases of CHB and HCs. GPX4 mRNA expression level and methylation level in PBMCs from patients with CHB had a certain correlation with STING and IFN-β expression levels. In addition, the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter in PBMCs from patients with CHB was correlated with molecules associated with OS and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

GPX4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and immune tolerance of CHB, which may provide new ideas for the functional cure of CHB.

F-box protein 43 promoter methylation as a novel biomarker for hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high prevalence and poor prognosis worldwide. Therefore, it is urgent to find effective and timely diagnostic markers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of F-box protein 43 promoter methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for HCC.

METHOD

A total of 247 participants were included in this study, comprising individuals with 123 hepatitis B virus-associated HCC, 79 chronic hepatitis B, and 45 healthy controls. F-box protein 43 methylation and mRNA levels in PBMCs were detected by MethyLight and quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULT

F-box protein 43 promoter methylation levels were significantly lower in HCC PBMCs than the chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.001) and healthy control PBMCs (P < 0.001). Relative mRNA expression levels of F-box protein 43 in HCC PBMCs were significantly higher than those in chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.001) and healthy control PBMCs (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis of F-box protein 43 promoter methylation levels yielded an area under curve (AUC) of 0.793 with 76.42% sensitivity and 68.35% specificity when differentiating HCC from chronic hepatitis. These values for the F-box protein 43 promoter methylation level were superior to those of the alpha-fetoprotein serum (AFP) level (AUC: 0.780, sensitivity: 47.97%, and specificity: 96.20%), with increments in values for the combination of F-box protein 43 promoter methylation AFP levels (AUC: 0.888, sensitivity: 76.42%, and specificity: 86.08%).

CONCLUSION

Hypomethylation of the F-box protein 43 promoter in PBMCs is a promising biochemical marker for HBV-associated HCC.

Hypomethylation of Tumor necrosis factor-like cytokine 1A(TL1A) and its decoy receptor 3 expressive level increase has diagnostic value in HBV-associated cirrhosis

For patients with cirrhosis, early diagnosis is the key to delaying the development of liver fibrosis and improving prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of TL1A, which is a susceptibility gene for hepatic fibrosis, and DR3 in the development of cirrhosis and fibrosis. We analyzed the expression of TL1A, DR3, and other inflammatory cytokines associated with liver fibrosis in serum and PBMCs in 200 patients.TL1A methylation level was lower in patients with HBV-associated LC than in the other groups. In addition, the mRNA level and serum of TL1A and DR3 expression levels were found to increase in the LC. Hypomethylation of the TL1A promoter is present in HBV-associated LC, and TL1A and DR3 are highly expressed in HBV-associated cirrhosis. These results indicate that TL1A and DR3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LC and TL1A methylation levels may serve as a noninvasive biomarker for early diagnosis and progression of LC.

Hypermethylation of thymosin β4 predicts a poor prognosis for patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

BACKGROUND

It has been demonstrated that thymosin β4 (Tβ4) could inflect the severity of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF), but the relationship between its methylation status and the prognosis of liver failure is not clear. This study aimed to determine Tβ4 promoter methylation status in patients with ACHBLF and to evaluate its prognostic value.

METHODS

The study recruited 115 patients with ACHBLF, 80 with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B pre-liver failure (pre-ACHBLF), and 86 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In addition, there were 36 healthy controls (HCs) from the Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. The 115 patients with ACHBLF were divided into three subgroups: 33 with early stage ACHBLF (E-ACHBLF), 42 with mid-stage ACHBLF (M-ACHBLF), and 40 with advanced stage ACHBLF (A-ACHBLF). Tβ4 promoter methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Methylation frequency of Tβ4 was significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than in those with pre-ACHBLF, CHB or HCs. However, expression of Tβ4 mRNA showed the opposite trend. In patients with ACHBLF, Tβ4 promoter methylation status correlated negatively with mRNA levels. The 3-month mortality of ACHBLF in the methylated group was significantly higher than that in the unmethylated group. Also, Tβ4 promoter methylation frequency was lower in survivors than in non-survivors. When used to predict the 1-, 2-, and 3-month incidence of ACHBLF, Tβ4 methylation status was better than the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. The predictive value of Tβ4 methylation was higher than that of MELD score for the mortality of patients with E-ACHBLF and M-ACHBLF, but not for A-ACHBLF.

CONCLUSIONS

Tβ4 methylation might be an important early marker for predicting disease incidence and prognosis in patients with ACHBLF.

SOCS1 methylation level is associated with prognosis in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

BACKGROUND

Glucocorticoids could greatly improve the prognosis of patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF). Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1 methylation has been shown to be associated with mortality in ACHBLF.

METHODS

Eighty patients with ACHBLF were divided into group glucocorticoid (GC) and group conservative medical (CM). Sixty patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and Thirty healthy controls (HCs) served as control group. SOCS1 methylation levels in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected by MethyLight.

RESULTS

SOCS1 methylation levels were significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than those with CHB and HCs (P < 0.01, respectively). Nonsurvivors showed significantly higher SOCS1 methylation levels (P < 0.05) than survivors in both GC and CM groups in ACHBLF patients. Furthermore, the survival rates of the SOCS1 methylation-negative group were significantly higher than that of the methylation-positive group at 1 month (P = 0.014) and 3 months (P = 0.003) follow-up. Meanwhile, GC group and CM group had significantly lower mortality at 3 months, which may be related to application of glucocorticoid. In the SOCS1 methylation-positive group, the 1-month survival rate was significantly improved, which may be related to GC treatment (P = 0.020). However, no significant difference could be observed between the GC group and CM group in the methylation-negative group (P = 0.190).

CONCLUSIONS

GC treatment could decrease the mortality of ACHBLF and SOCS1 methylation levels might serve as prognostic marker for favorable response to glucocorticoid treatment.

Early prediction model for prognosis of patients with hepatitis-B-virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure received glucocorticoid therapy

BACKGROUND

Early prediction for short-term prognosis is essential for the management of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). In this study, we aim to establish a noninvasive model for predicting the 90-day mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF received glucocorticoid therapy.

METHODS

Two hundred and eighty patients with HBV-ACLF were enrolled from July 2010 to June 2022. All patients received routine medicine treatment and 204 of them received additional glucocorticoid treatment. Then, the patients who received glucocorticoid treatment were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. An early prediction model for 90-day mortality of HBV-ACLF was established in the training cohort and then validated in the validation cohort.

RESULTS

HBV-ACLF patients received glucocorticoid treatment showed significantly better survival that those not (P < 0.01). In the training cohort, a noninvasive model was generated with hepatic encephalopathy grade, INR, total bilirubin, age and SIRS status, which was named HITAS score. It showed significantly better predictive value for 90-day mortality of HBV-ACLF than MELD score and Child-Turcotte-Pugh score in both the training cohort and validation cohort. Using the Kaplan-Meier analysis with cutoff points of 2.5 and 3.47, the HITAS score can classify HBV-ACLF patients into different groups with low, intermediate and high risk of death after glucocorticoid therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We proposed a HITAS score, which was an early prediction model for the prognosis of HBV-ACLF. It might be used to identify HBV-ACLF patients with favorable responses to glucocorticoid treatment.

IL-6 Promoter Hypomethylation Acts As a Diagnostic Biomarker in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

New biomarkers are needed to detect hepatocellular carcinoma at an earlier stage and to individualize treatment strategies. IL-6 has been proven to be associated with liver cancer in numerous studies.

AIM

To evaluate the value of the IL-6 promoter methylation level as a noninvasive biomarker for the diagnosis of liver cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 165 patients with HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 198 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 31 healthy controls were involved. The methylight was detected the methylation level of the IL-6 promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained.

RESULTS

IL-6 promoter methylation levels were significantly lower in patients with HCC (median 53.59%, interquartile range 52.01-54.75%) than in those with CHB (median 56.05%, interquartile range 54.65-57.67%; P<0.001). The level of IL-6 mRNA in patients with HCC (median 0.371, interquartile range 0.173-0.671) was significantly higher than that in patients with CHB (median 0.203, interquartile range 0.108-0.354; P<0.001) and HCs (median 0.189, interquartile range 0.140-0.262; P=0.001). Meanwhile, the PMR value of IL-6 was notably negatively correlated with the mRNA expression level (Spearman's R=-0.201, P<0.001). The IL-6 PMR value of HCC patients in age (Spearman's R=0.193, P=0.026) and TBIL (Spearman's R=0.186, P=0.032) were very weak correlated. At the same time, the level of IL-6 promoter methylation was also an independent factor in the development of liver cancer. When the IL-6 promoter methylation level was used to diagnose HCC, its detective value was superior to AFP [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.773 vs. 0.686, P=0.027], And the combined use of AFP and IL-6 methylation level can improve the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (p=0.011).

CONCLUSION

IL-6 promoter hypomethylation is present in hepatocellular carcinoma, and it may be used as a noninvasive biomarker to detect early liver cancer.

Serum exosomal long noncoding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 predicts 90-day mortality in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

Objectives: Acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) is characterized by high short-term mortality, calling for accurate prognostic biomarkers. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of serum exosomal long noncoding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) for 90-day mortality of ACHBLF.Methods: This prospective study consisted of 113 ACHBLF patients from June 2013 to June 2017 as a training cohort and 72 ACHBLF patients from July 2017 to June 2020 as a validating cohort. LncRNA NEAT1 was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction from serum exosomes.Results: LncRNA NEAT1 levels were higher in non-survivors than survivors (P< 0.01). In the training cohort, lncRNA NEAT1 (HR 1.049, 95%CI 1.023-1.075, P< 0.001) was an independent predictor for 90-day mortality of ACHBLF. Meanwhile, lncRNA NEAT1 showed significantly higher area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic (AUC) than MELD score in the training and validation cohort (P< 0.05, respectively). However, no significant difference was found in AUC between lncRNA NEAT1 and NEAT1 plus MELD score (P> 0.05). ACHBLF patients with lncRNA NEAT1 levels above 1.92 showed poorer survival condition than those below (P< 0.01).Conclusions: The serum exosomal lncRNA NEAT1 might be a better prognostic biomarker than MELD score for 90-day mortality of ACHBLF.

Hypermethylation of secreted frizzled related protein 2 gene promoter serves as a noninvasive biomarker for HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), early detection is critical to improve survival. Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) is a candidate tumor suppressor as Wnt antagonist and SFRP2 promoter has been found hypermethylated in various malignancies. This study aimed to investigate the methylation status of SFRP2 promoter in hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated HCC and estimate its diagnostic value as a non-invasive biomarker. A total of 293 patients, including 132 patients with HBV-associated HCC, 121 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. SFRP2 methylation level in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was quantitatively detected by MethyLight. SFRP2 methylation level was significantly higher in patients with HBV-associated HCC than in those with CHB (p < 0.001) and HCs (p < 0.001) while mRNA level of SFRP2 was significantly lower in HCC group than the other two groups (p < 0.05). In HCC subgroup, SFRP2 methylation level markedly increased in patients >50 years old, female, with negative HBeAg, negative HBV-DNA and poor differentiation compared with the remaining groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, SFRP2 methylation level showed a significantly better diagnostic value than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and the combination of AFP and methylation levels of SFRP2 markedly improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (p < 0.05). In conclusion, hypermethylation of SFRP2 promoter exists in HBV-associated HCC. The combination of SFRP2 methylation level in PBMCs and AFP could significantly improve the diagnostic ability of AFP in discriminating HBV-associated HCC from CHB and SFRP2 methylation level had the potential to serve as a non-invasive biomarker for HCC diagnosis.

5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine may enhance the frequency of T regulatory cells from CD4+ naïve T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with chronic HBV infection

OBJECTIVES

Methylation pattern of gene modification is essential for the differentiation of T regulatory cells (Tregs) and 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine is a common inhibitor of methylation. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of Treg polarizing conditions and 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment in the differentiation of naïve T cells during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

METHODS

The frequency of Tregs in peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (n = 51), liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 47), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 40) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 17). Gene expression were detected by qRT-PCR and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) Activity was also determined.

RESULTS

The frequency of Tregs and Foxp3 expression in peripheral blood from 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine-treated groups were higher than that with acetic acid treatment as a control. Foxp3 mRNA and the frequency of Tregs derived from naïve CD4+T cells from peripheral blood of patients with HCC or LC were more pronounced compared with HCs. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine may have induced a more pronounced upward trend of PD-1 expression in HBV patients.

CONCLUSIONS

5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine mediated demethylation has potential effects on enhancing the differentiation of naïve T cells to Tregs in chronic HBV infection.

Combined use of murine double minute-2 promoter methylation and serum AFP improves diagnostic efficiency in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 85% of all cases of liver cancer. In China, chronic hepatitis B virus-related HCC (HBV-related HCC) is the most common type of HCC. However, the majority of HBV-related HCC patients are asymptomatic, and the best opportunities for treating these patients are missed. The precise diagnosis of HBV-related HCC is crucial. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of murine double minute-2 (MDM2) promoter methylation in HBV-related HCC patients. Methods: The methylation status of the MDM2 promoter was detected by methylation-specific PCR. The MDM2 expression levels were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in plasma. Results: The methylation frequency of the MDM2 promoter was decreased in HBV-related HCC patients. The MDM2 mRNA levels of patients with HBV-related HCC were higher than those of patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. The plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in HBV-related HCC patients than that in liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B patients. The TNF-α levels were higher in the unmethylated MDM2 promoter group than in the methylated MDM2 promoter group in HBV-related HCC patients. Moreover, the combination of MDM2 promoter methylation and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) improved the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC. Conclusions: Our study indicates, for the first time, that MDM2 promoter hypomethylation is present in HBV-related HCC patients. The combination of MDM2 promoter methylation and AFP can greatly improve diagnostic efficiency in HBV-related HCC, which might provide a new method for HBV-related HCC diagnosis.

Circulating Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 3 Are Increased in HBV Patients With Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure and Are Associated With Clinical Outcome

Background and Aims

Necroptosis is a newly identified type of cell death with programmed pathways. The current study was performed to investigate necroptosis by measuring its key regulators; receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) in patients with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Methods

HBV-related ACLF (HBV-ACLF) patients (n = 90), non-ACLF patients without cirrhosis (N = 70), patients with cirrhosis (N = 40), and healthy controls (HCs; n = 70) were enrolled in the study. All patients were subject to serum RIPK3 measurement. Hepatic RIPK3 and MLKL were also determined in the livers of 18 patients and five donors, using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Serum RIPK3 was significantly elevated in HBV-ACLF patients compared to that of non-ACLF patients and the HCs. Serum RIPK3 in ACLF patients at recruitment was significantly higher in non-survivors than those in survivors at the 90-day follow-up. The predictive accuracy of serum RIPK3 at the 90-day outcome was relatively good with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 0.72 (p < 0.001), similar to that of the model of end-staged liver disease (MELD) score (0.76, p < 0.001). The combined use of RIPK3 and MELD score further increased the AUROC to 0.80. The hepatic RIPK3 and MLKL measured by immunohistochemistry, significantly increased in the patients with HBV-ACLF than in the patients without ACLF and the HCs.

Conclusion

Circulating RIPK3 was significantly increased in patients with HBV-ACLF and was associated with a clinical outcome. The improved combined objective scores could offer additional prognostic value in ACLF patients, for physicians with more accurate expectations.

GSTP1 and cancer: Expression, methylation, polymorphisms and signaling (Review)

Glutathione S‑transferase Pi (GSTP1) is an isozyme encoded by the GST pi gene that plays an important regulatory role in detoxification, anti‑oxidative damage, and the occurrence of various diseases. The aim of the present study was to review the association between the expression of GSTP1 and the development and treatment of various cancers, and discuss GSTP1 methylation in several malignant tumors, such as prostate, breast and lung cancer, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma; to review the association between polymorphism of the GSTP1 gene and various diseases; and to review the effects of GSTP1 on electrophilic oxidative stress, cell signal transduction, and the regulation of carcinogenic factors. Collectively, GSTP1 plays a major role in the development of various diseases.

The Association between Meteorological Factors and the Prevalence of Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure: A Population-based Study, 2007-2016

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect(s) of meteorological factors on the prevalence of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) based on 10-years' worth of population data. Methods: We retrospectively collected ACLF case data from January 2007 to December 2016 from three major hospitals in Fuzhou City, China. Climatic data, including rainfall, mean temperature, differences in temperature (delta temperature) and mean humidity for each month were downloaded from the China Climatic Data Service Center. Following data collection, Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate the effect(s) of climatic factors on the risk of the prevalence of ACLF. Results: The population consisted of a total of 3510 cases, with a mean age of 44.7 ± 14.8 years-old and with 79.8% being male. Upon analyzing the population data, we found a growing trend and seasonal pattern of monthly counts of ACLF-related hospitalization throughout the past decade. Specifically, the primary peak of ACLF prevalence was in January and the secondary peak was in July. Poisson regression showed mean temperature (risk ratio = 0.991, 95%CI = 0.986-0.996) and mean humidity (risk ratio = 1.011, 95%CI = 1.006-1.017) to be independently correlated with the monthly cases of ACLF. The results suggest that every unit increase of mean temperature (1°C) and mean humidity (1%) are associated with 0.991- and 1.011-fold changes of ACLF cases, respectively. Rainfall and delta temperature did not appear to affect the prevalence of this disease. Conclusions: The hospitalization for ACLF peaks in January and July. Low temperature and high humidity appear to function as factors contributing to this seasonal pattern.

Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3) mRNA Levels Are Elevated in Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Poor Prognosis of Acute-on-Chronic Hepatitis B Liver Failure

Necroptosis refers to a programmed form of necrosis, which involves the receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). In this study, to investigate the role of necroptosis in the pathogenesis of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF), we retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with ACHBLF, 131 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), we measured RIPK3 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). ELISA was performed to measure the serum levels of MLKL, TNF-α and caspase-8. We found that RIPK3 mRNA levels were significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than those with CHB or HCs. RIPK3 mRNA levels in patients with ACHBLF were positively correlated with serum levels of TNF-α or MLKL and negatively correlated with caspase-8 levels. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that RIPK3 mRNA level was predictive of 3-month mortality of ACHBLF. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of RIPK3 mRNA levels was 0.810 (95% CI: 0.729-0.876), which was higher than that of MELD scores (0.766, 95% CI: 0.681-0.838). The optimal cut-off point of 8.81 was determined for RIPK3 mRNA levels, which showed a sensitivity of 80.7% and a negative predictive value of 80.4%. These results indicate that elevated RIPK3 mRNA levels in PBMCs are associated with poor prognosis of ACHBLF. We thus propose that necroptosis may play an important role in pathogenesis of ACHBLF.

Plasma concentration of diamine oxidase (DAO) predicts 1-month mortality of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

BACKGROUND

Acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) has high 1-month mortality but it is difficult to predict. This present study was aimed to determine the diagnostic value of plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) in predicting the 1-month mortality of ACHBLF.

METHODS

A total of 106 consecutive newly diagnosed ACHBLF patients were retrospectively collected. The plasma expression of DAO was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The plasma DAO level of survivals [14.0 (7.1; 26.5) ng/mL] was significantly lower than the nonsurvivals [58.6 (32.5; 121.3) ng/mL, P < .001]. The plasma DAO level, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were independent factors associated with the 1-month mortality for ACHBLF. The cut-off point of 15.2 ng/mL for plasma DAO level with sensitivity of 95.45%, specificity of 62.5%, 22.6 for MELD score with sensitivity of 90.91%, specificity of 67.5%, 0.07 for DAO plus MELD with sensitivity of 87.88%, specificity of 80% were selected to discriminate 1-month morality of ACHBLF. Furthermore, DAO plus MELD score showed high AUROC than MELD score for predicting 1-month (0.916 vs. 0.843, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The plasma DAO level plus MELD > 0.07 predicts poor 1-month mortality of ACHBLF.

Aberrant GSTP1 promoter methylation predicts poor prognosis of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B pre-liver failure

It has been demonstrated that glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) could protect cells from DNA damage mediated by oxidizing agents or electrophiles in hepatic inflammatory response. Our study evaluated the methylation status and the predictive value for prognosis of GSTP1 promoter region in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B pre-liver failure (pre-ACHBLF). Methylation status of GSTP1 promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma was measured in 103 patients with pre-ACHBLF, 80 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 30 healthy controls (HCs) by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA level of GSTP1 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The methylation frequency of GSTP1 promoter region in patients with pre-ACHBLF (35/103 in PBMCs and 33/103 in plasma) was significantly higher than CHB (2/80) and HCs (0/30), respectively. The mRNA level of GSTP1 in patients with pre-ACHBLF was significantly lower than CHB and HCs. Additionally, pre-ACHBLF patients with methylated GSTP1 presented strikingly higher incidence of ACHBLF than those without. Of note, GSTP1 methylation presented distinctly better performance than model for end-stage liver disease score [area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) 0.825 in PBMCs and 0.798 in plasma VS 0.589; AUC 0.804 in PBMCs and 0.779 in plasma VS 0.622; AUC 0.767 in PBMCs and 0.744 in plasma VS 0.602, respectively] when used to predict the 1-, 2- or 3-month incidence of ACHBLF in patients with pre-ACHBLF. Aberrant methylation of GSTP1 has potential to be a prognostic biomarker for pre-ACHBLF.

Combined detection of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 promoter methylation improves the diagnostic efficacy of AFP in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

This study quantitatively assessed serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) promoter methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and explored its clinical value. A total of 80 patients with hepatitis B virus-associated HCC, 35 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 20 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. MethyLight was used to quantitatively assess the methylation levels of serum IGFBP7 promoter. A logistic regression model was established for the combined evaluation of AFP and serum IGFBP7 promoter methylation. The results showed that mean methylation levels of serum IGFBP7 promoter were significantly higher in HCC (5.33%, interquartile range [IQR] 1.14-15.70%) patients than in individuals with CHB (1.54%, IQR 0.64-2.45%; P<0.01) and HC (0.63%, IQR 0.22-0.98%; P<0.01). In HCC subgroups, patients with vascular invasion, tumor size >3cm and advanced tumor node metastasis (TNM) showed higher methylation levels compared with the remaining groups (P<0.05). Compared with AFP alone, combined determination based on logistic regression analysis significantly improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) (0.759 vs 0.623, P<0.05). In addition, the Youden index was increased from 5.71%, 11.25% and 15.18%, when considering AFP alone at cut-off values of 20, 200, and 400ng/ml, respectively, to 45.71% with IGFBP7 promoter methylation taken into consideration (all P<0.05). These results suggested that combined quantitative measurement of serum IGFBP7 promoter methylation could enhance the diagnostic ability of AFP in distinguishing hepatitis B virus-associated HCC from CHB.

A model to predict the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease within 2 years in elderly adults

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic hepatitis, which leads to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, it is difficult to identify subjects at high risk for NAFLD onset. This study aims to construct a model to predict the onset of NAFLD within 2 years in elderly adults.

METHODS

This study included and followed 3378 initial NAFLD-free subjects aged 60 years or over for 2 years, which were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set. NAFLD was diagnosed on ultrasound. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded at baseline. A model was constructed in the training set to predict the onset of NAFLD and validated in the validation set.

RESULTS

Body mass index, hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides were identified as predictors for the onset of NAFLD. A risk score (R) was calculated by them. It classified the subjects into low-risk group (R ≤ -2.88), moderate-risk group (-2.88 < R ≤ -1.26), and high-risk group (R > -1.26). In the training set, 4.68% of the participants in the low-risk group, 11.59% of the participants in the moderate-risk group, and 31.02% of the participants in the high-risk group developed NAFLD. In the validation set, 5.84% of the participants in the low-risk group, 10.57% of the participants in the moderate-risk group, and 29.44% of the participants in the high-risk group developed NAFLD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study developed a model to predict the onset of NAFLD in elderly adults, which might provide indications for intervention to these subjects.

Oxidative stress, a trigger of hepatitis C and B virus-induced liver carcinogenesis

Virally induced liver cancer usually evolves over long periods of time in the context of a strongly oxidative microenvironment, characterized by chronic liver inflammation and regeneration processes. They ultimately lead to oncogenic mutations in many cellular signaling cascades that drive cell growth and proliferation. Oxidative stress, induced by hepatitis viruses, therefore is one of the factors that drives the neoplastic transformation process in the liver. This review summarizes current knowledge on oxidative stress and oxidative stress responses induced by human hepatitis B and C viruses. It focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which these viruses activate cellular enzymes/systems that generate or scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and control cellular redox homeostasis. The impact of an altered cellular redox homeostasis on the initiation and establishment of chronic viral infection, as well as on the course and outcome of liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis will be discussed The review neither discusses reactive nitrogen species, although their metabolism is interferes with that of ROS, nor antioxidants as potential therapeutic remedies against viral infections, both subjects meriting an independent review.

Plasma interleukin-10 predicts short-term mortality of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL)-10 is a pleiotropic cytokine with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties in liver failure. Biomarkers are urgently needed to predict prognosis of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF).

AIM

To investigate the potential diagnostic value of plasma IL-10 as a biomarker for predicting the mortality of ACHBLF.

METHODS

This prospective study consisted of 115 newly diagnosed ACHBLF patients from May 2009 to October 2013 as a training cohort and 54 ACHBLF patients from November 2013 to March 2015 as a validating cohort. Plasma IL-10 level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

In the training cohort, the plasma IL-10 level of nonsurvivals [median (centile25; centile75): 12.38 (8.76; 15.52) pg/mL] was significantly higher than that in survivals [6.55 (5.43; 7.65) pg/mL, P < 0.001]. Plasma IL-10 (hazard ratio = 1.205, 95% confidence interval: 1.145-1.267, P < 0.001) was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality of ACHBLF patients. Furthermore, plasma IL-10 showed higher area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) than model for end-stage liver diseases (MELD) for predicting 1-month (0.887 vs. 0.779, P < 0.05), 2-month (0.878 vs. 0.779, P < 0.05) and 3-month (0.917 vs. 0.776, P < 0.001) mortality. However, we did not find significant differences in AUROC between IL-10 and IL-10 plus MELD for 1-, 2- and 3-month mortality. ACHBLF patients with plasma IL-10 > 9.6 pg/mL showed poor survival time than patients with plasma IL-10 ≤ 9.6 pg/mL at the end of 1 month in the training and validation cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma IL-10 performed better than MELD in predicting the prognosis of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Furthermore, plasma IL-10 > 9.6 pg/mL predicts a poor 1-month mortality.