Osteopontin as a marker for response to pegylated interferon Alpha-2b treatment in Chronic HCV Saudi patients

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Many recent studies support the idea that osteopontin (OPN) can be used to predict the success of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) alpha-2b/ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV patients. Objective: Our aim was to investigate the role of plasma OPN and its gene polymorphism at nt -443 in response to PEG IFN in Saudi patients with chronic HCV. Methods: Blood was collected from 87 patients with chronic hepatitis C before treatment, then patients received PEG IFN α2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. Another 25 healthy subjects, matched for age and sex to patients, were enrolled as controls. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in OPN at nt -443 and its blood level were analyzed. Results: The frequency of patients who reached sustained virological response (SVR) was increased in patients with T/T at nt -443 than in those with C/C or C/T. Also the frequency of T allele was increased in responders than in non-responders. However, this increase was not statistically significant. The blood level of OPN was significantly increased in non-responders (Mean±SD=37.21±3.9) in comparison to responders (Mean±SD=33.22±4.1). Conclusion: Osteopontin blood level can be considered as a reliable predictor to PEG IFN α2b plus ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV Saudi Patients.

Synchronized expressions of serum osteopontin and B cell–activating factor in autoimmune thyroid disease

“…In addition, they also observed that the OPN level was associated with the IFN‐α level. Moreover, Hussein et al disclosed that in chronic hepatitis C patients, serum OPN levels at the baseline could be a reliable indicator for the IFN‐α therapeutic response, which further supports the notion that OPN can participate in modulating IFN‐α's function. In the present study, we quantified serum IFN‐α to determine the correlation between serum OPN and IFN‐α in GD and HT patients.…”

“…On the other hand, evidence has shown that OPN is linked to INF‐ α synthesis and function . Shinohara et al showed that OPN can stimulate IFN‐α production in mouse plasmatoid dendritic cells.…”

“…On the other hand, evidence has shown that OPN is linked to INF-α synthesis and function. 20,32,33 Shinohara et al 32 showed that OPN can stimulate IFN-α production in mouse plasmatoid dendritic cells. Kariuk et al 20 reported that in SLE patients, an OPN genetic variant was correlated with both serum OPN and IFN-α levels.…”

Editorial: Infections, reproductive health, non - communicable diseases and health systems dominate articles in this June issue of African Health Sciences

“…7 A similar article by Alabi and colleagues 8 on molecular screening of antibiotic-resistant determinants among multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Proteus mirabilis from Southwest Nigeria also makes interesting reading. We conclude this infectious diseases section with two interesting papers: osteopontin as a marker for response to pegylated interferon Alpha-2b treatment in chronic HCV Saudi patients 9 , and a VAR2CSA: CSP conjugate malaria vaccine capable of inducing dual specificity antibody responses 10 .…”