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.
Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province, China. xiaomoupeng@hotmail.com
Xiao Mou
XM
Peng
Yang Su
YS
Huang
Hui Hui
HH
Ma
Lin
L
Gu
Qi Feng
QF
Xie
Zhi Liang
ZL
Gao
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