OBJECTIVETo determine the profiles of differential expression of genes and micro (mi)RNAs in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of patients with alcoholic hepatitis and control individuals. Microarrays were utilized to detect genes and miRNAs differentially expressed between the two groups. The significance level (P-values) and false discovery rate were assessed with a random variance model. Node genes and key miRNAs were identified and analyzed to determine the roles of various molecular networks and processes in disease pathogenesis.

RESULTSA total of 1123 genes and 13 miRNAs were differentially expressed in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. The node genes modulating disease-related networks were: MAPK10, RAP1A, ADCY8, CBL, and SOCS1. The key miRNAs were: hsa-miR-570, hsa-miR-29, chsa-miR-1228*, hsa-miR-99a*, hsa-miR-1299, and hsa-miR-326.

CONCLUSIONAlcoholic hepatitis patients show differential expression of genes involved in a broad range of biological processes, including apoptosis, immune response, activity of cancer genes, cell cycle and glutathione metabolism. This disease-related profile of gene expression provides valuable insights into the pathogenic process and may help future efforts to develop effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for alcoholic hepatitis.