Is there a place for serum laminin determination in patients with liver disease and cancer?

Abstract

Laminin is a glycoprotein which has an important role in the mechanism of fibrogenesis and is, thus, related to hepatic fibrosis in addition to presenting increased levels in several types of neoplasias. However, its determination is not routinely considered in the study of hepatic fibrosis. In this review, the authors critically comment on the role of this glycoprotein compared to other markers of fibrosis through non-invasive procedures (Fibroscan). They also consider its clinical investigational potential and believe that the continuation of these investigations might contribute to a better understanding of the fibrogenic mechanism, which could in turn either lead to the identification of patients at risk of developing fibrosis non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or at least be used as an indicator for hepatic biopsy in such patients. Finally, the authors believe that serum laminin determination might contribute to the diagnosis of epithelial tumor metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Relationship between serum transforming growth factor ß1 and liver collagen content in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride

“…In the present work we show a marked decrease in serum TGFß1 at end stage liver disease. At week 16, all animals in our study presented well established cirrhosis, with regenerative nodules and increased collagen density, which suggests that changes in vascular permeability may be occurring; similar to what has been observed in children with biliary atresia (15) . A similar study was conducted with serum laminin in the CCl 4 fibrosis model.…”

“…In humans, serum hyaluronic acid was the parameter that alone presented the best diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (13) and serum levels of TGFß1 correlated with the rate of fibrosis progression in hepatitis C adult patients (2) . In children with biliary atresia serum TGFß1 was lower at the time of liver transplant compared with the time of diagnosis (15) . Although TGFß1 is increased in CCl 4 -induced cirrhosis in rats, the kynetics of this cytokine in serum is not well known.…”

Comparison of Five Liver Fibrosis Indexes with Serum Levels of Laminin and N Terminal Peptide of Procollagen Type III in Chronic Hepatitis Patients

“…Serum level of LN, have been used by several authors as a noninvasive marker to assess liver fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis. LN determination together with PIIINP, hydroxyproline, prothrombin activity, and AST/ALT ratio has been used in the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients (Rosa & Parise et al, 2008). Serum levels of PIIINP were studied in viral hepatitis patients and studies showed strong correlation between its levels and histological stage of hepatic fibrosis.…”

“…This molecule participates in a series of biological events such as the maintenance of the cytoskeleton (Rosa & Parise, 2008). Hpatocytes and sinusoidal cells are able to synthesis of LN (Rosa & Parise, 2008;Gressner et al, 2007).…”

“…Increased in production of LN in the liver and a lack of degradation of this glycoprotein by liver endothelial cells, are the major causes of elevated serum levels of this protein in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver. It is proposed that laminin serum concentration is a sensitive screening test for hepatic fibrotic disease (Rosa & Parise, 2008). …”