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The HCV serum proteome: a search for fibrosis protein markers

Summary.  Liver fibrosis/cirrhosis is a serious health issue in hepatitis C virus (HCV‐) infected patients and is currently diagnosed by the invasive liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to find useful fibrosis markers in HCV‐patients’ sera of different fibrosis degrees (METAVIR F0‐F4) based on proteomics. Serum proteome profiles were created by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. Profiles were analysed between different degrees of fibrosis (F0‐F4) and between early (F0F1) and late (F2F3F4) fibrosis by univariate analyses (P ≤ 0.05). Differentially expressed proteins were subsequently identified by mass spectrometry. Mac‐2‐binding protein, α‐2‐macroglobulin and hemopexin were increased in F4 opposite F0/F1. A‐1‐antitrypsin, leucine‐rich α‐2‐glycoprotein and fetuin‐A were decreased in F4 opposite F0/F1. Late fibrosis was characterized by an increase in Mac‐2‐binding protein, α‐2‐macroglobulin and α‐1B‐glycoprotein expression and a decrease in haptoglobin expression. Mac‐2‐binding protein expression was confirmed by dot blot assay and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in a secondary population. In conclusion, serum proteome analysis enabled the detection/identification of existing and new candidate markers in line with fibrosis progression in HCV‐patients.