Relation between Monocyte chemotactic protein -1 and Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: Cirrhosis is the final stage of several chronic hepatic diseases and
characterized by fibrosis, morphological conversion from normal hepatic architecture into
structural abnormal nodules and disturbed normal liver vasculature. Cirrhosis has two
clinical types which are compensated, and decompensated Decompensation is defined as
ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, variceal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy
and jaundice. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is one of the most potent
chemokines for monocytes/macrophages and activated lymphocytes during infections. In
addition, several studies have shown that neutrophil infiltration is affected either directly
or indirectly via MCP-1. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) gene encoding a
potent activator of mononuclear phagocytes. Located on chromosome 17 (chr.17, q11.2),
human MCP-1 is composed of 76 amino acids and is 13 kDa in size. A polymorphism -
2518 G/A (rs 1024611) of MCP-1 was found to affect the transcriptional activity of the
distal regulatory region and monocyte MCP-1 production.Hence,this polymorphism
correlates with individual differences in monocyte MCP-1 production. Monocytes from
individuals carrying a -2518 G allele produced more MCP-1 than monocytes from A/A
homozygous individuals. The effect of the G allele appears to be dose dependent, as cells
from individuals homozygous for G at -2518 produced more MCP-1 than cells from G/A
heterozygotes.