Evaluation of microRNA-122 in chronic hepatitis C

Ibrahim, Mohammed A.; Mahmud, Ashraf Ibrahim; Abdelmola, Omran Mohamed; Ali, M. Khalil; Mohammed, Mohammed Nabil

doi:10.21608/mid.2025.364468.2585

Evaluation of microRNA-122 in chronic hepatitis C

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

² Department of Gastroenterology,Hepatology and infectious diseaes , Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

10.21608/mid.2025.364468.2585

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease, eventually leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Detecting reliable non-invasive biomarkers is essential for the early diagnosis and monitoring of HCV-related liver complications. MicroRNA-122 (miRNA-122), a liver-specific, non-coding RNA, has gained importance as a potential biomarker due to its critical role in HCV replication and liver health. Objective: To assess serum miRNA-122 levels across varying stages of HCV-related liver conditions and evaluate its diagnostic value in differentiating between HCV, cirrhosis, and HCC cases from healthy individuals. Methods: A total of100 participants were divided into three groups: chronic HCV (n=32), liver cirrhosis (n=36), and HCC (n=32), alongside 20 healthy controls. Serum miRNA-122 levels were quantified using real-time PCR and correlated with clinical indicators, liver function test results, and disease severity. Results: miRNA-122 expression was significantly higher in HCV patients (4.3 ± 2.0) compared to cirrhosis (1.88 ± 0.76, P < 0.0001), HCC (1.6 ± 0.47, P < 0.0001), and controls (1.29 ± 0.53, P < 0.0001). Positive associations were found between miRNA-122 and ALT (r=0.303, P=0.050) as well as direct bilirubin (r=0.266, P=0.002), while a negative correlation was observed with ALP (r= -0.251, P=0.005). miRNA-122 exhibited diagnostic accuracy at a cut-off value of >1.69, achieving 75.1% sensitivity, 83% specificity, and an overall accuracy of 77% for identifying HCV patients. Conclusion: Serum miRNA-122 levels are increased in HCV patients and decline with disease progression to cirrhosis and HCC.

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