Abstract:
BACKGROUND: P-Element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI) proteins, when in combination with PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA),
are engaged in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in germline cells. Different types of tumour cells have been found
to exhibit abnormal expression of piRNA, PIWIL-mRNAs, and proteins. We aimed to determine the mRNA expression profiles
of PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3, & PIWIL4, in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and to associate their expression patterns with
clinicopathological features.
METHODS: The expression patterns of PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3, PIWIL4 mRNA, was assessed via real-time quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR), on tissue and serum samples from HCC patients, their impact for diagnosis was evaluated
by ROC curves, prognostic utility was determined, and In Silico analysis was conducted for predicted variant detection, association
with HCC microRNAs and Network Analysis.
RESULTS: Expression levels were significantly higher in both HCC tissue and serum samples than in their respective controls
(p < 0.001). Additionally, the diagnostic performance was assessed, Risk determination was found to be statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: PIWIL mRNAs are overexpressed in HCC tissue and serum samples, the expression patterns could be valuable
molecular markers for HCC, due to their association with age, tumour grade and pattern. To the best of our knowledge, our study
is the first to report the expression levels of all PIWIL mRNA and to suggest their remarkable values as diagnostic and prognostic
biomarkers, in addition to their correlation to HCC development. Additionally, a therapeutic opportunity might be also suggested
through in silico miRNA prediction for HCC and PIWIL genes through DDX4 and miR-124-3p.
