miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 are promising biomarkers for progression of liver fibrosis in HCV Egyptian patients

Background: Current methodologies used to determine the progression of hepatic fibrosis rely heavily on liver biopsy, a dangerous and invasive procedure, with semi-subjective analysis of the results of the biopsy. Thus, a new approach is immensely needed for monitoring the progression of liver fibrosis in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. Aim of work: The purpose of this study was to find highly specific and sensitive miRNA biomarkers that can be used to detect different stages of liver fibrosis. Methodology: The study consisted of 42 cases of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with early-stage fibrosis, 45 cases of CHC with late-stage fibrosis, and 40 healthy subjects with no CHC or fibrosis as controls. Expression patterns of 5 miRNAs (miR-16, miR-146a, miR-214-5p, miR-221, and miR-222) were analyzed in each group using TaqMan real-time PCR. Results: Serum levels of miRNA-16, miRNA-146a, miRNA-221, and miRNA-222 were all significantly up-regulated in early and late stages of liver fibrosis. miRNA-222 had the highest sensitivity and specificity values in early and late fibrosis. miRNA-221 had the second highest sensitivity and specificity with the late-stage fibrosis group. Furthermore, miRNA-221 showed significant positive correlations with both miRNA-16 and miRNA-146a in the early- and late-stage fibrosis groups, with the early stage having a stronger correlation. Conclusions: The results indicated that miRNA-16, miRNA-146a, miRNA-221, and miRNA-222 can be used to detect the presence of liver fibrosis. The high sensitivity and specificity of miRNA-222 and miRNA-221 in late stage fibrosis indicate promising prognostic biomarkers for HCV-induced liver fibrosis.