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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2018; 24(15): 1601-1615
Published online Apr 21, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i15.1601
Multiomics biomarkers for the prediction of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity
Carlos J Pirola, Silvia Sookoian
Carlos J Pirola, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology of Complex Diseases. University of Buenos Aires, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina, National Scientific and Technical Research Council-University of Buenos Aires. Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), CABA 1427, Argentina
Silvia Sookoian, Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University of Buenos Aires, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina, National Scientific and Technical Research Council-University of Buenos Aires. Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), CABA 1427, Argentina
Author contributions: All authors equally contributed to this paper with conception and design of the study, literature review and analysis, drafting and critical revision and editing, and final approval of the final version.
Supported by Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científicay Tecnológica, No. PICT 2014-0432, No. PICT 2014-1816 and No. PICT 2015-0551.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No potential conflicts of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Correspondence to: Silvia Sookoian, MD, PhD, Senior Scientist, Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University of Buenos Aires, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, Buenos Aires, Argentina, National Scientific and Technical Research Council-University of Buenos Aires. Institute of Medical Research, Combatientes de Malvinas 3150, CABA 1427, Argentina. sookoian.silvia@lanari.fmed.uba.ar
Telephone: +54-11-52873905
Received: January 1, 2018
Peer-review started: February 1, 2018
First decision: February 24, 2018
Revised: March 13, 2018
Accepted: March 31, 2018
Article in press: March 31, 2018
Published online: April 21, 2018
Abstract

This review intends to uncover how information from large-scale genetic profiling (whole genome sequencing, and whole exome sequencing) of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as well as information from circulating transcriptomics (cell-free miRNAs) and metabolomics, contributes to the understanding of NAFLD pathogenesis. A further aim is to address the question of whether OMICs information is ready to be implemented in the clinics. The available evidence suggests that any new knowledge pertaining to molecular signatures associated with NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis should be promptly translated into the clinical setting. Nevertheless, rigorous steps that must include validation and replication are mandatory before utilizing OMICs biomarkers in diagnostics to identify patients at risk of advanced disease, including liver cancer.

Keywords: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Fibrosis, Liver biopsy, Genetics, PNPLA3, TM6SF2, Metabolomics, Proteomics, Transcriptomics, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, miR122

Core tip: It is expected that, in the near future, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients can be diagnosed and treated according to their own “molecular signature”. Specific focus should be placed on prevention and early diagnosis through the application of biomarkers of disease risk. Selection of “personalized drugs” as well as tailored therapy according to the specific molecular signature should be further guaranteed.