Specific hepatitis C virus gene expression identified in HCV/HIV coinfection

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Article Summary

Specific hepatitis C virus gene expression identified in HCV/HIV

coinfectio..

AIDS Weekly - 31-Aug-2006

" Gene expression profiling was performed on liver biopsies from 28 patients

(12 HCV and 16 HCV/HlV infected) in an attempt to understand the mechanisms

of HCV liver disease in the presence and absence of HIV coinfection.

However, a subset of patients was identified who share a specific pattern of

gene expression, termed the enhanced gene expression (EGE) pattern.

Summary

• A study from the United States has reported on the identification of a

specific gene expression pattern associated with hepatitis C virus

(HCV)-induced pathogenesis in HCV- and HCV/HIV-infected individuals.

• " Gene expression profiling was performed on liver biopsies from 28

patients (12 HCV and 16 HCV/HlV infected) in an attempt to understand the

mechanisms of HCV liver disease in the presence and absence of HIV

coinfection.

• The data were compared with clinical observations and a gene expression

database obtained for transplant HCV-infected samples, " wrote K.A. Walters

and colleagues, University of Washington.

• " This is the first report of functional genomics being used to compare

intrahepatic gene expression profiles of HCV- and HCV/HIV-infected

individuals.

• Significantly, the intrahepatic global gene expression profiles do not

differ between HCV- and HCV/HIV-infected individuals.

• However, a subset of patients was identified who share a specific pattern

of gene expression, termed the enhanced gene expression (EGE) pattern.

• " Specifically, the EGE+ patients show a dramatic decreased expression of

multiple genes associated with the FAS-apoptosis pathway and increased

expression of lymphocyte adhesion molecules and lymphocyte-specific genes.

• The EGE+ patients also have partially impaired Type I and II IFN-mediated

antiviral responses, including a lack of induction of the anti-fibrogenic

cytokine IFN-gamma, " the authors reported.

http://www.therapeuticsdaily.com/news/summary.cfm?id=1062387 & channelID=31

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