Differential display analysis of RNA in liver tissues of chronic hepatitis C patients *
To analyze the differences in gene expression between asymptomatic carrier (ASC) and chronic active hepatitis (CAH) patients with elevated transaminases, total RNAs were extracted from liver biopsy specimens from two patients with ASC, and three patients with CAH, using the acid guanidine phenol chloroform (AGPC) method. The differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) was used to examine differences in mRNA composition between the two groups. Enhanced expressions of four cDNAs and one cDNA were observed from CAH and ASC, respectively. Enhanced expressions of the human retinoic acid-induced gene G (RIG-G), human mitochondrion, the human beta 2 gene for beta-tubulin, and human STS WI-8930 was noted in the CAH groups, while human STS WI-8782 was enhanced in the ASC groups. Enhanced expression of human mitochondrion and the human beta 2 gene for beta tubulin may reflect exaggerated mitosis accompanied with necrosis and regeneration. RIG-G is said to be a gene induced by interferom (IFN) and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). which is known to be associated with antiviral activity and cell differentiation. Therefore, RIG-G may play an important role in the progression of liver damage in CAH. (Accepted on August 31, 1998) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 24(2) : 83 - 91. 1998
