Lnc-TCL6 is a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and grade in liver-cirrhosis patients

Abstract

Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been applied as biomarkers in many diseases. However, scarce biomarkers are available in single lncRNA differential expression associated with different clinical stages of liver cirrhosis (LC). The aim of the study is to identify some lncRNAs that can serve as non-invasive sensitive biomarkers for early diagnosis and grade of LC. Methods Blood lncRNA expression was evaluated in three independent cohorts with 305 participants including healthy controls, hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) or LC. First, candidate lncRNAs were screened by CapitalBiotech microarray to diagnose cirrhosis. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was then used to investigate the expression of selected lncRNAs in the whole group of cirrhosis and different Child–Pugh classes. Ultimately, the diagnostic accuracy of the promising biomarker was examined and validated via Mann–Whitney test and receiver-operating characteristics analysis. Results Lnc-TCL6 was identified as a sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of LC (Child–Pugh A) compared with healthy controls (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.636), HBV carriers (AUC = 0.671), and CHB patients (AUC = 0.672). Furthermore, lnc-TCL6 showed a favourable capacity in discriminating among different Child–Pugh classes (AUC: 0.711–0.837). Compared with healthy controls, HBV carriers, and CHB patients, the expression of lnc-TCL6 was obviously up-regulated in Child–Pugh A patients and, conversely, significantly down-regulated in Child–Pugh C patients. Conclusions Lnc-TCL6 is a novel potential biomarker for early diagnosis of LC and is a possible predictor of disease progression.

Expression and clinical significance of lncRNA TCL6 in serum of patients with preeclampsia

“…TCL6 was initially flagged as a candidate gene with potential involvement in leukemia ( 9 ). Studies have illustrated the participation of TCL6 in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, retinoblastoma, liver cirrhosis and threatened abortion ( 10 , 13 , 14 , 29 , 30 ). The present results suggested that high expression of lncRNA TCL6 was associated with the pathogenesis, severity and poor prognosis of cases of preeclampsia and it may be worthwhile to explore the underlying mechanisms.…”

Long noncoding RNAs in hepatitis B virus replication and oncogenesis

“…Compared with that in healthy controls, HBV carriers, and CHB patients, the expression of lnc-TCL6 was obviously upregulated in Child–Pugh A patients with liver cirrhosis. Thus, lnc-TCL6 was identified as a sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (Child–Pugh A)[ 29 ].…”

Identification and Validation of Novel Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver Fibrosis/Cirrhosis and Chronic Hepatitis B via Transcriptome Sequencing Technology

“… 1 The three main stages in the progression of HBV infection are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver fibrosis/liver cirrhosis (LF/LC) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB), or widely recognized as “hepatitis trilogy”. 2 CHB is commonly known for the heterogeneous patient features and long course of disease progression, 3 while LF is a wound healing process. Both are necessary stages for the progression from chronic liver disease to cirrhosis, and even HCC.…”