TGF-β1 mRNA expression in liver biopsy specimens and TGF-β1 serum levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C before and after antiviral therapy

Background and objective: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 is the best-characterized profibrogenic cytokine. TGF-beta 1 increases the production of extracellular matrix proteins and their receptors and inhibits the synthesis of matrix degrading proteolytic enzymes. We undertook this study to simultaneously evaluate the effect of interferon alpha 2b plus ribavirin therapy on TGF-beta 1 daily serum levels and on mRNA TGF-beta 1 expression in liver biopsy specimens from 60 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Serum levels of TGF-beta 1 were measured by ELISA. The levels of the RNAs in liver biopsy specimens were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. After treatment, patients were divided into two groups: 34 responders [undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA, normal ALT levels, decrease in histology activity index compared with pretreatment liver biposy] and 26 non-responders (detectable HCV-RNA, elevated ALT levels, no decrease in the histology activity index). Results and discussion: In patients with hepatitis C, the 'responders' to the antiviral treatment showed significant decreases in both mean daily serum TGF-beta 1 levels and mRNA TGF-beta 1 expression in the liver biopsy specimens. The 'non-responders' serum TGF-beta 1 concentrations did not change significantly, but the mRNA TGF-beta 1 expression did. Conclusion: Both serum TGF-beta 1 concentration and mRNA TGF-beta1 expression in liver biopsy specimens may be useful as prognostic markers in patients with hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy.