Genetic polymorphism at codon 10 of the transforming growth factor-β1 gene in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Association of TGF-β1 Polymorphism and TGF-β1 Levels With Chronic Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Despite the extensive research conducted on the relationship between transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) polymorphisms and levels and the onset and development of liver disease, there are still certain gaps that need to be addressed. To address these gaps and provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge, this review aimed to identify relevant published research on TGF-β1/TGF-β1 polymorphism, TGF-β1/TGF-β1 levels, and their associations with cirrhosis and hepatitis C. The synthesis of available data was performed to further enhance our understanding in this area. Adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a search strategy was implemented across several online databases to search for relevant articles as per the defined selection criterion. Eight studies were selected after the completion of the search strategy. Of the eight studies, five revealed a considerably high level of TGF-β1 in patients who had hepatitis C virus (HCV) and liver cirrhosis caused by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The forest plot analysis showed a statistically significant impact of TGF-β1 polymorphism and levels on the incidence of hepatic cirrhosis and hepatitis C, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.65 and a risk ratio (RR) of 0.76. The heterogeneity test showed a high level of heterogeneity at 94% and 95% for OR and RR, respectively, but the overall effect was significant with P < 0.01 for both measures. According to the results obtained, the authors concluded that TGF-β1 polymorphism and its associated levels should be taken into account while developing preventive and therapeutic approaches for hepatic cirrhosis and hepatitis C.

Alcoholic Liver Disease: Role of Cytokines

The present review spans a broad spectrum of topics dealing with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), including clinical and translational research. It focuses on the role of the immune system and the signaling pathways of cytokines in the pathogenesis of ALD. An additional factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of ALD is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which plays a central role in the induction of steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver. LPS derived from the intestinal microbiota enters the portal circulation, and is recognized by macrophages (Kupffer cells) and hepatocytes. In individuals with ALD, excessive levels of LPS in the liver affect immune, parenchymal, and non-immune cells, which in turn release various inflammatory cytokines and recruit neutrophils and other inflammatory cells. In this review, we elucidate the mechanisms by which alcohol contributes to the activation of Kupffer cells and the inflammatory cascade. The role of the stellate cells in fibrogenesis is also discussed.

Role of the Transforming-Growth-Factor-β1 Gene in Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for the Treatment

Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. LOAD has a complex and largely unknown etiology with strong genetic determinants. Genetics of LOAD is known to involve several genetic risk factors among which the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene seems to be the major recognized genetic determinant. Recent efforts have been made to identify other genetic factors involved in the pathophysiology of LOAD such as genes associated with a deficit of neurotrophic factors in the AD brain. Genetic variations of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and transforming-growth-factor-β1 (TGF-β1) are known to increase the risk to develop LOAD and have also been related to depression susceptibility in LOAD. Transforming-Growth-Factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a neurotrophic factor that exerts neuroprotective effects against ß-amyloid-induced neurodegeneration. Recent evidence suggests that a specific impairment in the signaling of TGF-β is an early event in the pathogenesis of AD. TGF-β1 protein levels are predominantly under genetic control, and the TGF-β1 gene, located on chromosome 19q13.1–3, con-tains several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) upstream and in the transcript region, such as the SNP at codon +10 (T/C) and +25 (G/C), which is known to influence the level of expression of TGF-β1. In the present review, we summarize the current literature on genetic risk factors for LOAD, focusing on the role of the TGF-β1 gene, finally discussing the possible implications of these genetic studies for the selection of patients eligible for neuroprotective strategies in AD.

Status of primary liver cancer found through routine health check-up

This study aimed to investigate the status of primary liver cancers found through a routine health check-up. The data of subjects who were diagnosed with primary liver cancer for the first time through a routine health check-up during a period of 8-yr were analyzed. Primary liver cancers were detected for the first time in 34 subjects among 91,219 routine health check-up subjects. Only 11.8% of primary liver cancer subjects had been under previous surveillance. Of them, 55.8% were positive for HBsAg, 17.7% were positive for anti-HCV, and 8.8% were heavy alcohol comsumers. However, 17.7% of the subjects were neither heavy alcohol consumers nor positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. Of the subjects, 50.0% had a single nodular tumor, 23.5% had multi-nodular tumors, and 26.5% had an infiltrative tumor. A routine health check-up may provide beneficial opportunities to detect a liver cancer in a very early stage. It is beneficial to start surveillance in high-risk subjects for liver cancer or to detect any liver cancer in subjects without risk factors of chronic viral hepatitis or heavy alcohol consumption.

Cellular mechanisms of tissue fibrosis. 1. Common and organ-specific mechanisms associated with tissue fibrosis

Fibrosis is a pathological scarring process that leads to destruction of organ architecture and impairment of organ function. Chronic loss of organ function in most organs, including bone marrow, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, and skin, is associated with fibrosis, contributing to an estimated one third of natural deaths worldwide. Effective therapies to prevent or to even reverse existing fibrotic lesions are not yet available in any organ. There is hope that an understanding of common fibrosis pathways will lead to development of antifibrotic therapies that are effective in all of these tissues in the future. Here we review common and organ-specific pathways of tissue fibrosis.

Transforming growth factor-β genetic polymorphisms on development of liver cirrhosis in a meta-analysis

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) protein has been supposed to be a risk factor for liver cirrhosis; however, the associations between its genes (TGF-β -509C>T and +869T>C) and liver cirrhosis remained unclear. This study was to quantitatively analyze the correlations by using a meta-analysis. Pubmed, Embase, Wanfang databases were retrieved up to November 1st, 2011. Odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) were used to demonstrate the strength of association, and P < 0.05 of Z test indicated statistical significance. Combined analyses were performed by using fixed or random-effect model, depending on between-study heterogeneity. Seven studies were for TGF-β -509C>T polymorphism, and eight studies were for +869T>C polymorphism. Combined results indicated that neither TGF-β -509C>T nor +869T>C polymorphisms were associated with risk of liver cirrhosis [OR (95 % CI): 0.79 (0.60-1.04) for CT vs. TT of -509C>T and 0.87 (0.68-1.12) for CT vs. CC of +869T>C], with no between-study heterogeneity. In addition, subgroups analyses still inferred that two polymorphisms were not associated with risk of liver cirrhosis for HBV-infected patients, Asians and for Population-based studies. This meta-analysis indicated that neither TGF-β -509C>T nor +869T>C polymorphisms were associated with risk of liver cirrhosis, regardless of HBV infection or not.