Transforming growth factor beta isoforms (TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, TGF-beta3) messenger RNA expression in laryngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: Cancerogenesis is a multistage process controlled by many cytokines, including growth factors. The aim of the study was the comparison of transcriptional activity of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) genes in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas and adjacent nonneoplastic tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissues samples were obtained from 32 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in histologic grades G1 to G3 who underwent surgical treatment at the ENT Clinics of Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. Quantification of gene expression was performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique. RESULTS: In tumor cells, expression of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 isoforms (P < .001) was higher than in normal tissues. There was a positive correlation between the expression of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 genes in tumors (R = 0.78, P = .0000) and adjacent normal tissues (R = 0.77, P = .0000). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 messenger RNAs may be useful as molecular markers in distinguishing cancer from nonneoplastic tissues in laryngeal area.

[Quantitative assessment of mRNA TGF-beta1 in liver tissue in connection with serum mean daily level of TGF-1 in chronic hepatitis B patient]. / Ocena ilosciowa mRNA TGF-beta1 w bioptacie watroby w powiazaniu ze sredniodobowym steeniem TGF-beta1 w surowicyz u chorych z przewleklym zapaleniem watroby typu B.

Monitoring of fibrosis process with the use of histopathologic studies on liver's bioptates is limited, so it is attempted to find reliable, obtained with less invasive methods, sensitive and reflecting fibrosis dynamics markers of this process. The aim of the study was simultaneously to assess liver's expression as well as circadian and mean daily TGF-betal concentration in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis type B in comparison to control group. Studies were performed on 50 patients (9 women, 41 men) aged 45.9 +/- 2.3 years with chronic hepatitis type B. Control group consisted of 20 patients (mean age 38.6 +/- 3.7 years), in which so called minimal changes without fibrosis were observed in histophatologic bioptate of liver. Blood for studies was collected every 4 houres during the day. Serum concentration of TGF-betal was assessed with the use of ELISA method, and expression of mRNA TGF-betal in liver with QRT-PCR method. No significant difference between circadian as well as mean daily serum TGF-betal concentration beetwen control group and the group with chronic hepatitis type B was shown. Increased expression of mRNA, TGF-betal in bioptate of liver of patients with chronic hepatitis type B in comparison to control group was noted. In "minimal changes" control group presence of significant positive correlation between expression of mRNA TGF-beta1 in liver and concentration of this cytokine in serum was shown, in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis B this connection was not noted.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus RNA in whole blood of patients with HCV infection and HBV-HCV coinfection.

BACKGROUND: Although HCV and HBV are essentially hepatoptropic, several lines of evidence suggest that these viruses can infect other cells, also PBMC in most patients with chronic HCV. MATERIAL/METHODS: The presence of HBV DNA and HCV-RNA was determined by a polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR and RT-PCR - nested PCR) in a group of patients with chronic liver disease. HCV-RNA was investigated in serum, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) while HBV-DNA only in serum or plasma. RESULTS: Among 374 patients tested, HCV-RNA was detected in the venous blood of 208 patients; HCV RNA alone was detected in 154 patients and 54 patients were co-infected by HCV and HBV. HBV-DNA was found in 128 of 374 patients, while infection by HBV only was found in 74 patients. It was also shown that in the presence of HBV the replication ability of HCV is lower (p=0.085, Goodman-Kruskal Gamma = 0.561 and YuleQ = 0.5610). CONCLUSIONS: Since coexistence of HBV and HCV is not a rare case, diagnostics of hepatitis cannot be limited to detection of one type of the virus only. Misinterpretation of the virus type that caused the infection may lead to serious complications, especially in those cases when interferone is used for treatment.