Polymorphisms of some cytokines and chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between the polymorphisms in some cytokines and the outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.


METHODS
Samples were obtained from 203 patients infected with HBV and/or HCV while donating plasma in 1987, and 74 controls were obtained from a rural area of North China. Antibodies to HBV or HCV antigens were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The presence of viral particles in the serum was determined by nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hepatocellular injury, as revealed by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase level, was detected by a Beckman LX-20 analyzer. DNA was extracted from blood cells. Then, the single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-2-330, IFN-gamma+874, IL-10-1082/-592 and IL-4-589 were investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR or sequence specific primer-PCR.


RESULTS
Persistent infection with HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV coinfection was associated with IL-2-330 TT genotype and T allele, IFN-gamma+874 AA genotype, and IL-10-1082 AA genotype. The clinical outcome of HBV and/or HCV infection was associated with IL-2-330 TT genotype and T allele, IFN-gamma+874 AA genotype, and IL-10-1082 AA genotype. IL-2-330 GG genotype frequency showed a negative correlation with clinical progression, IL-10-1082 AA genotype frequency showed a positive correlation and IL-10-1082 AG genotype frequency showed a negative correlation with clinical progression. HCV RNA positive expression was associated with IL-10-1082 AA genotype and the A allele frequency. Abnormal serum ALT level was associated with IL-10-592 AC genotype frequency and IL-4-589 CC genotype, CT genotype, and the C allele.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that polymorphisms in some cytokine genes influence persistent HBV and HCV infection, clinical outcome, HCV replication, and liver damage.
Gao
Qiu-Ju
QJ
Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Province, China.
Liu
Dian-Wu
DW
Zhang
Shi-Yong
SY
Jia
Min
M
Wang
Li-Min
LM
Wu
Li-Hong
LH
Wang
Shu-Yun
SY
Tong
Li-Xin
LX
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase