Blood angiopoietin-2 predicts liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in hepatitis C patients

BMC Gastroenterology

Yoshihiko Aoki¹  Masaaki Korenaga¹  Masatoshi Imamura¹  Takashi Oide²  Yuichi Yoshida³  Tatsuya Kanto³  Yuriko Tsutsui³  Miku Okawara³  Taizo Mori³  Hironari Kawai³  Yosuke Osawa³  Shiori Yoshikawa³  Taiji Yamazoe³  Sachiyo Yoshio³ 

[1] Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine;Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine;The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine;

关键词: Angiogenesis;    Angiopoietin-2;    Carbon tetrachloride;    Chronic hepatitis C;    Endothelin-1;    Liver fibrosis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12876-021-01633-8

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Pathological angiogenesis is involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), the level of angiogenic factor angiopoietin (ANGP)-2 is reported to be increased in the blood, correlating with fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether blood ANGP-2 is useful as a biomarker for liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in CHC patients and to further reveal the relationship between such pathology in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated liver fibrosis mouse model. Methods Plasma levels of ANGP-2, expression of a liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) marker (CD31), collagen deposition (Sirius Red staining) in the liver, clinical fibrosis markers (Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer, virtual touch quantification, and liver stiffness measurement), and liver function (albumin bilirubin score) were examined in CHC patients. To determine the effects of an anti-angiogenic agent on liver fibrosis in vivo, sorafenib was administered to the CCl4-treated mice (BALB/c male). Results The plasma levels of ANGP-2 were increased in CHC patients compared to healthy volunteers and decreased by the eradication of hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals. In addition, plasma ANGP-2 levels were correlated with CD31 expression, collagen deposition, clinical fibrosis markers, and liver function. Sorafenib inhibited liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in the CCl4-treated mice and was accompanied by decreased ANGP-2 expression in LSECs. Conclusions ANGP-2 may serve as a useful biomarker for liver angiogenesis and fibrosis in CHC patients. In addition, angiogenesis and fibrosis may be closely related.

【 授权许可】

Unknown