Expression of circulating miR-200c and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) mRNA as potential biomarker in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common liver disease that causes significant public health problems throughout the world, including in Indonesia. The HCC is the six most common cancers and second cancer-related deaths among men in the world. Recently it was reported that the microRNA is an important player in hepatocarcinogenesis. The expression of MiRNA-200c is often regulated in primary HCC and HCC cell lines. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is a regulator of angiogenesis that has been reported as miR-200c target gene. This study was conducted to measure expression levels in miR- 200c and mRNAVEGF-A and their potential role as biomarkers at HCC. A total of 36 HCC patients and 36 healthy subjects were included in this study. The relative expression of miRNA-200c and mRNA VEGF-A was quantified using reverse transcription real time quantitative PCR (qRT PCR). Relative expression was calculated using . Unpaired t-test was used to compare the expression levels of circulating miRNA-200c and mRNA VEGF-A in HCC patients and healthy subjects. Pearson test was used to determine correlation between circulating miR-200c expression and mRNA VEGF-A expression levels. The expression levels of circulating miR-200c in HCC patients were lower compared to healthy subjects although it was not significant (p = 0.258). Conversely, the expression levels of circulating mRNA VEGF-A in HCC patients were significantly higher compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.001). The relative expression levels of circulating miR-200c were negatively correlated with mRNA VEGF-A in HCC patients. In conclusion, the expression levels of mRNA VEGF-A in HCC patients are significantly deregulated in compared to that in healthy subjects. Negative correlation between circulating miRN-200c and mRNA VEGF-A expression levels are reported in HCC patients.