Platelet-derived growth factor A mRNA in platelets is associated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Aline Aki Tanikawa, Rejane Maria Tommasini Grotto, Giovanni Faria Silva, Adriana Camargo Ferrasi, Valéria Cristina Rodrigues Sarnighausen, Maria Inês de Moura Campos Pardini
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Hepatic fibrosis; PDGF; TGFB; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0302-2016; https://doaj.org/article/5305be42f40e4f309413b9220b7e8fed

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are the main cytokines related to hepatic fibrogenesis. METHODS: RNA isolated from the platelets and hepatic tissue of 43 HCV carriers was used for quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine TGFB1, PDGFA, and PDGFB RNA expression. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of PDGFA in platelets was significantly lower in the group with advanced fibrosis than in the group with early-stage fibrosis. TGFB1 was more frequently expressed in platelets than in hepatic tissue, which was different from PDGFB. CONCLUSIONS: A pathway mediated by overexpression of TGFB1 via PDGFA in megakaryocytes could be involved in the development of fibrosis.