Host genetic determinants of spontaneous hepatitis C clearance.
Acute infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) induces a wide range of innate and adaptive immune responses. A total of 20-50% of acutely HCV-infected individuals permanently control the virus, referred to as 'spontaneous hepatitis C clearance', while the infection progresses to chronic hepatitis C in the majority of cases. Numerous studies have examined host genetic determinants of hepatitis C infection outcome and revealed the influence of genetic polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigens, killer immunoglobulin-like receptors, chemokines, interleukins and interferon-stimulated genes on spontaneous hepatitis C clearance. However, most genetic associations were not confirmed in independent cohorts, revealed opposing results in diverse populations or were limited by varying definitions of hepatitis C outcomes or small sample size. Coordinated efforts are needed in the search for key genetic determinants of spontaneous hepatitis C clearance that include well-conducted candidate genetic and genome-wide association studies, direct sequencing and follow-up functional studies.
Rauch
Andri
A
University Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Bern & University of Bern, Inselspital PKT2B, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. andri.rauch@insel.ch
Gaudieri
Silvana
S
Thio
Chloe
C
Bochud
Pierre-Yves
PY
D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007372:Interferons / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000502:physiology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000502:physiology
D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D007372:Interferons