Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor α and TNF-receptors, p55 and p75, in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the pathogenic role of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) system in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fifty-two obese patients were studied. We investigated: (1) the expression of mRNA of TNF-α and their p55 and p75-receptors by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in hepatic and adipose tissues; and (2) the relationship between TNF-α, p55, and p75 and the severity of NASH. Obese patients without NASH were the control group. A remarkable increase in the expression of mRNA of TNF-α was found in patients with NASH in hepatic tissue (0.65 ± 0.54) and in peripheral fat (0.43 ± 0.45); in the control samples, the mRNA expression was 0.28 ± 0.32, P < .007, and 0.26 ± 0.22, P < .018, respectively. Furthermore, we found a significant increase in the mRNA levels of p55 receptor (2.42 ± 1.81 vs. 1.56 ± 1.17; P < .05); however, the mRNA expression of the p75 receptor was similar in both patients. Those patients with NASH with significant fibrosis presented an increase in the expression of mRNA TNF-α in comparison with those with a slight or nonexistent fibrosis. An overexpression of TNF-α mRNA is found in the liver and in the adipose tissue of NASH patients. The levels of mRNA-p55 are increased in the liver tissue of NASH patients. This overexpression is more elevated in patients with more advanced NASH. These findings suggest that the TNF-α system may be involved in the pathogenesis of NASH.