The role of cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases in development and progression of hepatitis C virus-genotype 4-associated hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Altered cell cycle regulatory genes expression contributes to HCV-associated liver disease. We sought to assess the role of cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) in HCV-associated CH and HCC.Aberrant expression of cyclins A, E, D1, CDK2 and CDK4 was assessed by immunohistochemistry and differential PCR in HCV-associated CH and HCC with pericarcinomatous foci (PCF). S phase fraction (SPF) was determined by flow cytometry. Results were correlated with overall survival (OS) in HCC patients.In HCC, cyclins A, E, D1, CDK2 and CDK4 protein overexpression was detected in 52.8%, 52.8%, 69%, 47% and 58% compared to 36.1%, 33%, 56%, 27.8%, 55.6% for CH and 36.1%, 27%, 30.6%, 27%, 50% for PCF. Gene amplification was detected in 38.9%, 33% 66%, 33%, 44% of HCC compared to 27.8%, 25%, 44%, 27.8%, 36% in CH and 25%, 22.2%, 38.9%, 27%, 33% in PCF. A significant difference was reported between HCC, CH, NHT regarding cyclins A, E, D1, CDK2 (p = 0.007, p = 0.002, p = 0.047, p = 0.002) protein expression (ADD) and cyclin D1 amplification (p = 0.009). Cyclins A, E, CDK2 expression was associated with fibrosis in CH (p = 0.004, p = 0.02, p = 0.012). Reduced OS was (ADD) associated with cyclin D1 and cyclin A, grade, stage and metastasis (p = 0.001, p = 0.02, p = 0.018, p = 0.01, p = 0.001).ConclusionsIncreased cyclins A, E, D1, CDK2 and CDK4 expression is important for HCV-associated CH and HCC. Cyclin D1 and cyclin A are prognostic biomarkers associated with reduced OS in HCC. Cyclin D1 aberration could identify high risk groups of CH patients prone to develop HCC.

► Cyclins and their kinases expression in HCC and chronic hepatitis were HCV positive.
► Increased expression of all markers was reported in CH and HCC.
► Reduced survival associated with cyclin D1 and cyclin A, grade, stage and metastasis.
► Cyclin D1 and cyclin A are prognostic and predictive biomarkers in HCV-positive HCC.