Expression of interferon receptor genes (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 mRNA) in the liver may predict outcome after interferon therapy in patients with chronic genotype 2a or 2b hepatitis C virus infection.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2a or 2b is associated with a favorable outcome after interferon therapy. However, 19% to 33% of patients do not respond to therapy. We investigated whether interferon receptor gene (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 mRNA) expression in the liver before interferon therapy predicts long-term response to therapy in patients with genotype 2a or 2b HCV infection. Twenty-seven patients who subsequently received interferon-alpha therapy underwent liver biopsies before interferon therapy. Hepatic IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 mRNA were determined using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. Twenty (74%) patients responded to interferon therapy, while the remaining seven (26%) patients were nonresponders. The expression rates of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 mRNA in the liver were significantly higher in responders than nonresponders (p < 0.01, by chi-square test). The presence of either IFNAR1 or IFNAR2 mRNA predicted complete response to interferon treatment, with a positive predictive value of 100%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that IFNAR1 and/or IFNAR2 mRNA expression was the only significant predictor of the effectiveness of IFN therapy (p = 0.0002). We conclude that expression of interferon receptor genes in the liver is a useful index for predicting the long-term efficacy of interferon therapy in patients with chronic genotype 2a or 2b HCV infection.
Morita
K
K
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
Tanaka
K
K
Saito
S
S
Kitamura
T
T
Kondo
M
M
Sakaguchi
T
T
Morimoto
M
M
Sekihara
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017931:DNA Primers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; C507964:IFNAR1 protein, human; C508033:IFNAR2 protein, human; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta