Association between hepatitis C virus and porphyria cutanea tarda

Publication date: Available online 9 May 2019Source: Molecular Genetics and MetabolismAuthor(s): Jordi To- FiguerasAbstractPorphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) arises from a deficiency of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) in the liver. Several exogenous risk factors are associated with the acquired form of the disease. In Southern Europe, PCT is strongly linked to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to the point that a high prevalence of viral infection in some geographic areas generated an increase of PCT cases as a complication. In spite of the association, PCT was a rare complication of HCV infection, thus suggesting the existence of unknown susceptibility factors operating in only some patients. Investigation of liver specimens of PCT patients showed iron accumulation, which albeit moderate, was higher in comparison with HCV-infected patients without PCT. Measurements of hepcidin in serum of HCV-infected patients with and without PCT and calculation of hepcidin/ferritin ratio were compatible with the hypothesis that HCV induced inadequate response of hepcidin to iron accumulation. Administration of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) to HCV-infected patients with active PCT has shown that eradication of the virus is followed by PCT resolution and rapid disappearance of urinary porphyrins. This suggests a direct participation of the virus in the oxidative mechanism leading to UROD inhibition. If clinical evolution of PCT-patients is placed within a time-frame, rapid PCT resolution b...
Source: Molecular Genetics and Metabolism - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research