Significance of Circulating Cell-Free DNA Species in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2021 Aug 27

PMID 34445552

Citations 4

Authors

Lampros Chrysavgis

Alkistis Papatheodoridi

Evangelos Cholongitas

Michael Koutsilieris

George Papatheodoridis

Antonios Chatzigeorgiou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have not been completely elucidated, while the significance of circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) species has been rarely evaluated in NAFLD. Herein, we assessed the serum levels of cf-DNA species in NAFLD patients and investigated their potential associations with patients' characteristics and severity of liver disease. Forty-nine adult patients with NAFLD of any stage were included in this cohort study. Cf-DNA was isolated from patients' sera and the levels of several distinct cf-DNA species including total cf-DNA, gene-coding cf-DNA, Alu repeat sequences, mitochondrial DNA copies and 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine were determined. Cirrhotic compared to non-cirrhotic patients had significantly lower serum levels of cf-DNA and RNAse P coding DNA as well as higher expression of 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine. After adjustment for the significant clinico-epidemiological factors, lower serum levels of cf-DNA or RNAse P were independently associated with the presence of cirrhosis. Serum levels of total and gene-coding DNA are associated with the presence of cirrhosis in NAFLD patients regardless of clinical or epidemiological parameters and may therefore be used as a screening tool for NAFLD progression.

Citing Articles

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Circulating Cell-Free DNAs as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury.

Sun M, Chen P, Xiao K, Zhu X, Zhao Z, Guo C Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023; 10(16):e2206789.

PMID: 37035952 PMC: 10238175. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206789.

Significance of Circulating Cell-Free DNA Biomarkers in HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Their Changes after Treatment Initiation.

Karakousis N, Chrysavgis L, Papatheodoridi A, Legaki A, Lembessis P, Cholongitas E Pathogens. 2023; 12(3).

PMID: 36986316 PMC: 10053129. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030394.

Profiling of cell-free DNA methylation and histone signatures in pediatric NAFLD: A pilot study.

Buzova D, Braghini M, Bianco S, Lo Re O, Raffaele M, Frohlich J Hepatol Commun. 2022; 6(12):3311-3323.

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