Hepatitis C virus NS5A and core protein induce fibrosis-related genes regulation on Huh7 cells through activation of LX2 cells.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Liver fibrosis remains a complication derived from a chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection even when it is resolved, and no liver antifibrotic drug has been approved. Molecular mechanisms on hepatocytes and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a central role in liver fibrogenesis. To elucidate molecular mechanisms, it is important to analyze pathway regulation during HSC activation and HCV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluate the fibrosis-associated molecular mechanisms during a co-culture of human HSCs (LX2), with human hepatocytes (Huh7) that express HCV NS5A or Core protein. We evaluated LX2 activation induced by HCV NS5A or Core expression in Huh7 cells during co-culture. We determined a fibrosis-associated gene expression profile in Huh7 that expresses NS5A or Core proteins during the co-culture with LX2. RESULTS: We observed that NS5A induced 8.3-, 6.7- and 4-fold changes and that Core induced 6.5-, 1.8-, and 6.2-fold changes in the collagen1, TGFß1, and timp1 gene expression, respectively, in LX2 co-cultured with transfected Huh7. In addition, NS5A induced the expression of 30 genes while Core induced 41 genes and reduced the expression of 30 genes related to fibrosis in Huh7 cells during the co-culture with LX2, compared to control. The molecular pathways enriched from the gene expression profile were involved in TGFB signaling and the organization of extracellular matrix. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that HCV NS5A and Core protein expression regulate LX2 activation. NS5A-induced LX2 activation, in turn, regulates diverse fibrosis-related gene expression at different levels in Huh7, which can be further analyzed as potential antifibrotic targets during HCV infection.

Epidemiology of environmental factors related to beta-catenin pathway and its impact on the development and progression of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disease, determined by genetic, environmental and lifestyle-associated risk factors. Genetic (inherited) factors have great influence on its development; however, most cases of CRC are sporadic and gradually develop over several years. The main environmental risk factors are associated with b-catenin signaling pathway, including obesity, lack of physical activity, consumption of red and processed meats, alcoholism, and smoking. The pathway is related to cell homeostasis regulation and cell self-renewal during embryogenesis and adulthood. The main recommendation for preventing the development of CRC is to reduce the risk factors, increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables and grains, exercise regularly and limit the consumption of both alcohol and tobacco. However, family history and the presence of a hereditary syndrome increase the risk, which is why carrying out periodic examinations to detect CRC is suggested, using development predictors such as biochemical and molecular markers, which are discussed in this work.

El cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es una enfermedad compleja determinada por factores de riesgo genéticos, ambientales y de estilo de vida. Los factores genéticos (hereditarios) tienen gran influencia en su desarrollo, sin embargo, la mayoría de los casos de CCR son esporádicos y se desarrollan gradualmente a lo largo de varios años. Los principales factores ambientales de riesgo están asociados a la vía de señalización de ß-catenina, entre ellos obesidad, falta de actividad física, consumo de carnes rojas y procesadas, alcoholismo y tabaquismo. La vía está relacionada con la regulación de la homeostasis celular, autorrenovación celular durante la embriogénesis y edad adulta. La principal recomendación para evitar el desarrollo del CCR es reducir los factores de riesgo, aumentar el consumo de frutas, verduras y granos, hacer ejercicio de manera rutinaria y limitar el consumo tanto de alcohol como de tabaco. Dado que los antecedentes familiares y la presencia de un síndrome hereditario aumentan el riesgo, se sugiere hacer exámenes periódicos para detectar CCR y emplear predictores del desarrollo como los marcadores bioquímicos y moleculares, los cuales se presentan en este trabajo.

Epidemiología de los factores ambientales relacionados con la vía β-catenina y su impacto en el desarrollo y progresión del cáncer colorrectal / Epidemiology of environmental factors related to beta-catenin pathway and its impact on the development and progression of colorectal cancer

Resumen El cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es una enfermedad compleja determinada por factores de riesgo genéticos, ambientales y de estilo de vida. Los factores genéticos (hereditarios) tienen gran influencia en su desarrollo, sin embargo, la mayoría de los casos de CCR son esporádicos y se desarrollan gradualmente a lo largo de varios años. Los principales factores ambientales de riesgo están asociados a la vía de señalización de β-catenina, entre ellos obesidad, falta de actividad física, consumo de carnes rojas y procesadas, alcoholismo y tabaquismo. La vía está relacionada con la regulación de la homeostasis celular, autorrenovación celular durante la embriogénesis y edad adulta. La principal recomendación para evitar el desarrollo del CCR es reducir los factores de riesgo, aumentar el consumo de frutas, verduras y granos, hacer ejercicio de manera rutinaria y limitar el consumo tanto de alcohol como de tabaco. Dado que los antecedentes familiares y la presencia de un síndrome hereditario aumentan el riesgo, se sugiere hacer exámenes periódicos para detectar CCR y emplear predictores del desarrollo como los marcadores bioquímicos y moleculares, los cuales se presentan en este trabajo.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex disease, determined by genetic, environmental and lifestyle-associated risk factors. Genetic (inherited) factors have great influence on its development; however, most cases of CRC are sporadic and gradually develop over several years. The main environmental risk factors are associated with β-catenin signaling pathway, including obesity, lack of physical activity, consumption of red and processed meats, alcoholism, and smoking. The pathway is related to cell homeostasis regulation and cell self-renewal during embryogenesis and adulthood. The main recommendation for preventing the development of CRC is to reduce the risk factors, increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables and grains, exercise regularly and limit the consumption of both alcohol and tobacco. However, family history and the presence of a hereditary syndrome increase the risk, which is why carrying out periodic examinations to detect CRC is suggested, using development predictors such as biochemical and molecular markers, which are discussed in this work.

Antioxidants benefits in hepatitis C infection in the new DAAs era.

Some of the evidence on whether antioxidant supplements are effective in treatment of liver diseases is contradictory. Here we perform a descriptive analysis of the available data in vivo and in vitro of the possible antiviral action and controversy of several antioxidant molecules against HCV.