Differential expression of angiogenesis-related miRNAs and VEGFA in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Author(s)

Oliveira, Andre R. C. P. de ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Castanhole-Nunes, Marcia M. U. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Biselli-Chicote, Patricia M. ^[1] ; Pavarino, Erika C. ^[1] ; Silva, Rita de C. M. A. da ^{[2, 3]} ; Silva, Renato F. da ^{[2, 3]} ; Goloni-Bertollo, Eny M. ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Jose Do Rio Preto Med Sch FAMERP, UPGEM Genet & Mol Biol Res Unit, Dept Mol Biol, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto - Brazil

^[2] Hosp Base Sao Jose Do Rio Preto SP, Study Grp Liver Tumors GETF, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto - Brazil

^[3] Med Sch Fdn FUNFARME, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Archives of Medical Science; v. 16, n. 5, p. 1150-1157, AUG 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a heterogeneous liver disease, the last stage of liver fibrosis, and the major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study aimed to evaluate the expression of microRNAs and the endothelial vascular growth factor (VEGFA) gene in LC and HCC. Material and methods: The sample group consisted of 46 tissue samples: 21 of LC, 15 of HCC, and 10 of non-tumoural and non-cirrhotic liver tissue (control group). MiRNAs were chosen based on a mirDlP prediction database as regulators of the VEGFA gene. Gene expression of VEGF and miRNAs was quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. VEGFA protein expression was evaluated by ELISA. Results: VEGFA gene expression was significantly overexpressed in LC compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). Hsa-miR-206 (p = 0.0313) and hsa-miR-637 (p = 0.0156) were down-expressed in LC. In HCC, hsa-miR-15b (p = 0.0010), hsa-miR-125b (p = 0.0010), hsa-miR-423-3p (p = 0.0010), hsamiR-424 (p = 0.0313), hsa-miR-494 (p < 0.0001), hsa-miR-497 (p < 0.0001), hsa-miR-612 (p = 0.0078), hsa-miR-637 (p < 0.0001), and hsa-miR-1255b (p = 0.0156) presented down-expression. Conclusions: Overexpression of VEGFA in LC suggests impairment of angiogenesis in this tissue. The differential expression of microRNAs in LC and HCC observed in our study can lead to the evaluation of possible biomarkers for these diseases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/10321-6 - VEGF gene expression and regulation by microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma
• Grantee: Eny Maria Goloni Bertollo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants