NGF and P75.sup.NTR Gene Expression Is Associated with the Hepatic Fibrosis Stage Due to Viral and Non-Viral Causes

• Published in: PloS one 2015-03, Vol.10 (3)
• Main Authors: Amoras, Ednelza da Silva Graça, Gomes, Samara Tatielle Monteiro, Freitas, Felipe Bonfim, Santana, Bárbara Brasil, Ishak, Geraldo, de Araújo, Marialva Tereza Ferreira, Demachki, Sâmia, da Silva Conde, Simone Regina Souza, de Oliveira Guimarães Ishak, Marluísa, Ishak, Ricardo, Vallinoto, Antonio Carlos Rosário
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fibrosis; Gene expression; Genes; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C virus; Liver cirrhosis; Nerve growth factor; RNA
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121754

This study evaluated the relative mRNA expression levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and the p75 neurothrophin receptor (p75.sup.NTR) in different histological stages of human liver disease. Fifty-one liver biopsy specimens obtained from patients with hepatitis B virus (n = 6), hepatitis C virus (n = 28), and non-viral hepatitis - (n = 9) and standard histological liver (n = 8) as controls (CT) were subjected to qPCR and histopathological exams. Our data revealed a significant difference in the NGF expression levels between the three patient groups and the Control group. p75.sup.NTR expression levels in the HCV and NVH groups were higher than those observed in the HBV and Control groups. In cases of liver cirrhosis, higher p75.sup.NTR mRNA expression was observed, whereas NGF was expressed at higher levels in patients with hepatic fibrosis. NGF expression was lower in the F1 liver fibrosis stage, and p75.sup.NTR receptor expression continuously and proportionately increased compared to the increase in the degree of fibrosis and was significantly higher in livers in fibrosis stages 3 and 4. The hepatic levels of NGF and p75.sup.NTR were decreased and increased, respectively, relative to the stage of inflammatory activity. A positive correlation between p75.sup.NTR and NGF gene expression was observed in livers with mild to moderate fibrosis, though not in cases of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. Our results demonstrate that the course of chronic liver disease can be regulated by NGF and p75.sup.NTR, which function by decreasing or inhibiting hepatocyte regeneration and proliferation.