Potential Role of the Tie2/ Angiopoietin System in Hepatitis C Virus- Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Fouad, Rabab; Madkour, Bothaina; Zahran, Manal; Abdel Rahim, Ali; Salem, Dalia; Nassar, Omar; Elnashar, Shereen; Mahmoud, Ola

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.12.4137

Potential Role of the Tie2/ Angiopoietin System in Hepatitis C Virus- Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Hematology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Giza, Egypt.

² Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Giza, Egypt.

³ Department of Bacteriology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Giza, Egypt.

⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

⁵ Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care5, Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.12.4137

Abstract

Background: The Tie2/Ang pathway was found to be involved in forming tumor blood vessels in various tumors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the value of Tie2/Ang pathway as a novel biomarkers for the early detection of chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). And the possibility of their future application in HCC treatment. Methods: Flow cytometry was performed to identify and count Tie2 expressing monocytes (TEMs) in peripheral blood monocytes from HCC patients (n = 25), CHC cirrhotic patients (n = 25) and healthy volunteers (n = 25). In addition, Angiopoietin 1 and 2 (Ang) levels in the serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA). Results: Percentage of TEMs in peripheral blood monocytes, serum Ang2 levels and Ang2/Ang1 ratio significantly increased in HCC patients compared with CHC patients and healthy controls (P< 0.001). However significant increase was only noticed in serum Ang1 levels in HCC group compared to the control group (P <0.05). Conclusions: TEMs may promote angiogenesis in HCC regarding the Ang2/Tie2 signal pathway. Percentage of TEMs in peripheral blood monocytes, Ang2 serum levels and Ang2/Ang1 ratio may be applied as a biomarkers for identifying CHC-related HCC. Moreover, inhibiting the proangiogenic functions of this pathway may represent a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of current treatments for HCC.

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