Persistence of hepatitis C virus in a white population: associations with human leukocyte antigen class 1.
The aim of this study was to define novel associations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class 1 alleles and persistence or clearance of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a white population. All individuals in the study were seropositive for anti-HCV antibodies. Viral status was determined by the Roche HCV Amplicor test. HLA-A, -B, -C allelic group profile was molecularly defined by reverse line probe hybridization. The strongest individual allelic group associations with persistent HCV infection were HLA A*11 (p = 0.044) and Cw*04 (p = 0.006). However, only the HLA C*04 association survived correction for multiple comparisons. Further analysis of alleles in linkage with HLA Cw*04 revealed that the haplotype HLA A*11, Cw*04 was present in 11 individuals, 10 of whom were viremic (p = 0.05). No gene dosage effect was observed. No association between HLA class 1 allelic groups and aviremia and virus load was evident in this white population. HLA B*44 is associated with low virus load in human immunodeficiency virus disease, but this association was not evident in this HCV-infected population. Novel HLA class 1 alleles associated with persistence of HCV have been identified.
Hepatitis C Unit, Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, Cork University Hospital, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland. 1.fanning@ucc.ie
Liam J
LJ
Fanning
Elizabeth
E
Kenny-Walsh
Fergus
F
Shanahan
D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006579:Heterozygote; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D019562:Viral Load; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*
D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D004247:DNA