Influence of HLA-DRB1 alleles and HBV genotypes on interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of HLA-DRB(1) alleles and HBV genotypes on interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B.


METHODS
HLA-DRB1*03, *07, *09, *12, *15 alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction/sequence specific primer (PCR/SSP) technique in 126 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 76 normal control subjects in Shandong Province, and HBV genotypes were determined by nested-PCR analysis using type-specific primers in 126 patients.


RESULTS
The positivity of HLA-DRB1*07 allele in chronic hepatitis B group was significantly higher than that in normal control group (chi(2) = 6.33, P<0.025, RR = 2.37). Among the 126 patients, genotype B was found in 38 (30.2%), genotype C in 69 (54.8%), and mixed genotype (B+C) in 19 (15.0%), genotypes D-F were not found. Among the 46 DRB1*07(+) patients, 7 were responders and 39 were non-responders among them (chi(2) = 6.71, P<0.05). The positivity of HLA-DRB1*07 and prevalence of HBV genotype C were significantly higher in non-responders than in responders.


CONCLUSIONS
High positivities of HLA-DRB1 *07 allele and HBV genotype C are closely associated with the lower response to interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B.
Chu
Rui-Hai
RH
Department of Infectious Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China. rhchu@163.com
Ma
Li-Xian
LX
Wang
Gang
G
Shao
Li-Hua
LH
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins