Cathepsin B and Plasma Kallikrein Are Reliable Biomarkers to Discriminate Clinically Significant Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis-C Infection

Author(s)

Oliveira Zanelatto, Alexia de Cassia ; Lacerda, Gilmar de Souza ; Accardo, Camila de Melo ; do Rosario, Natalia Fonseca ; da Silva, Andrea Alice ; Motta, Guacyara ; Dos Santos Tersariol, Ivarne Luis ; Xavier, Analucia Rampazzo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MICROORGANISMS; v. 10, n. 9, p. 13-pg., 2022-09-01.

Abstract

We aimed to determine the biomarker performance of the proteolytic enzymes cathepsin B (Cat B) and plasma kallikrein (PKa) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta to detect hepatic fibrosis (HF) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. We studied 53 CHC patients and 71 healthy controls (HCs). Hepatic-disease stage was determined by liver biopsies, aminotransferase:platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis (FIB)4. Hepatic inflammation and HF in CHC patients were stratified using the METAVIR scoring system. Cat-B and PKa activities were monitored fluorometrically. Serum levels of TGF-beta (total and its active form) were determined using ELISA-like fluorometric methods. Increased serum levels of Cat B and PKa were found (p < 0.0001) in CHC patients with clinically significant HF and hepatic inflammation compared with HCs. Levels of total TGF-beta (p < 0.0001) and active TGF-beta (p < 0.001) were increased in CHC patients compared with HCs. Cat-B levels correlated strongly with PKa levels (r = 0.903, p < 0.0001) in CHC patients but did not correlate in HCs. Levels of Cat B, PKa and active TGF-beta increased with the METAVIR stage of HF. Based on analyses of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Cat B and PKa showed high diagnostic accuracy (area under ROC = 0.99 +/- 0.02 and 0.991 +/- 0.007, respectively) for distinguishing HF in CHC patients from HCs. Taken together, Cat B and PKa could be used as circulating biomarkers to detect HF in HCV-infected patients. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/03964-6 - Glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans: interplay between structure and function
• Grantee: Helena Bonciani Nader
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants