Ontology highlight
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.
SUBMITTER: Osawa Y
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7871374 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Osawa Yosuke Y Yoshio Sachiyo S Aoki Yoshihiko Y Korenaga Masaaki M Imamura Masatoshi M Oide Takashi T Okawara Miku M Kawai Hironari H Tsutsui Yuriko Y Yoshida Yuichi Y Yoshikawa Shiori S Mori Taizo T Yamazoe Taiji T Kanto Tatsuya T
BMC gastroenterology 20210208 1
<h4>Background</h4>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 (CCl<sub ...[more]