We compared the usefulness of liver fibrosis markers (Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein [WFA<sup>+</sup> -M2BP], type 4 collagen 7S, etc.), clinical scoring systems, and liver stiffness measurement obtained using vibration-controlled transient elastography and magnetic resonance imaging-based magnetic resonance elastography in the same individuals and identified the most appropriate noninvasive method for detecting significant fibrosis in 165 patients with liver biopsy-diagnosed NAFLD.
The WFA<sup>+</sup> -M2BP values were significantly greater in NAFLD patients with HCC than in those without HCC among patients with liver fibrosis ≥stage 3.
WFA+ -M2BP level was found to be significantly increased in the fibrotic NASH and NASH cirrhosis groups compared to healthy controls and those with early NAFLD after adjusting for age, gender and BMI.
A glycoproteomics study aimed at identifying such markers discovered Mac 2-Binding Protein Gylcan Isomer (M2BPGi), which is a reliable marker for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis and other fibrotic liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis, biliary atresia, autoimmune hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Serum M2BP and WFA<sup>+</sup> -M2BP levels were compared against clinical characteristics and liver histological manifestations in the same samples collected from 213 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients.
When patients were stratified by NAFLD activity score, type IV collagen and collagen 7S were significantly elevated as NAFLD activity score progressed, whereas M2BP and HA expression were not significantly elevated.