Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms are associated with the mode and sequel of HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
BACKGROUND
The influence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter polymorphisms on the mode and sequel of HBeAg seroconversion (a favorable event usually) in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has not been clarified.


METHODS
IL-10 genotyping and haplotype analyses of 340 HBsAg carriers and 100 volunteers with self-limiting HBV infection from southern China, a high prevalent area of HBV were performed according to the single nucleotide polymorphisms in its promoter (-1,082, -819 and -592) using a competitively differentiated PCR.


RESULTS
High-producer genotype (GG at -1,082) or haplotype (GCC) was rarely found in patients from southern China (<1%). Intermediate-producer haplotype (ACC) was closely associated with chronic liver disease (P=0.004); compared with this, low-producer genotype (AA at -592) and haplotype (ATA) were closely associated with asymptomatic carriers (P=0.035 and 0.035). Intermediate-producer genotype (AC at -592) and haplotype (ACC) were closely associated with covert seroconversion of HBeAg (P=0.0086 and 0.0013) and progressive sequel after HBeAg seroconversion (P=0.013 and 0.0008), while, low-producer genotype (AA at -592) and haplotype (ATA) were closely associated with overt seroconversion of HBeAg (P=0.0023 and 0.0061) and silent sequel after HBeAg seroconversion (P=0.0009 and 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms significantly influence the mode and sequel of HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic HBV infection.
Peng
Xiao Mou
XM
Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province, China. xiaomoupeng@hotmail.com
Huang
Yang Su
YS
Ma
Hui Hui
HH
Gu
Lin
L
Xie
Qi Feng
QF
Gao
Zhi Liang
ZL
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D015415:Biomarkers; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016753:Interleukin-10