Evaluation of lncRNA-HULC Level in the Plasma of Chronic HCV-Infected Patients

The main role of ncRNAs (non-coding RNAs) is to regulate various cellular activities. LncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) are a group of ncRNAs that are over 200 base pairs in length. It has been shown that lncRNAs regulate and control various cellular functions. Disruption of the expression of lncRNAs can cause various disease and deficiency in the cell function. LncRNA-HULK is one of lncRNA, which is greatly increased in liver disorders, including hepatitis C. Recently, the use of HULK as a biomarker has been suggested as a prognostic factor for liver disease such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the level of lncRNA-Hulk in chronic HCV-infected patients.

The present study included 50 patients with chronic hepatitis C. After transferring the samples, total RNA was extracted and the quantity of HCV-RNA and lncRNA-HULK were determined using the real-time PCR assay. Finally, the relationship between HCV-RNA and lncRNA-HULK levels was evaluated.

Of the total patients, 13 were female and 37 were male. All patients were HIV Ag/Ab and HBs Ag negative. Results showed that HCV-RNA level was 4,500-2,300,000 copies per mL of plasma. In addition, threshold cycles of lncRNA-HULK were calculated 28-38. Statistical analyses showed that there was a significant relationship between HCV-RNA level and lncRNA-HULK in the plasma of chronic patients.

In the recent study, the relationship between HCV-RNA quantity and lncRNA-HULC level in chronic hepatitis C patients was investigated. It is suggested that lncRNA-HULC levels could be considered as a biomarker in such patients. Accordingly, lncRNA-HULC quantification could be utilized to predict the progression of liver disease and the outcome in chronic HCV-infected patients.