The cytotoxic lymphocyte antigen 4 polymorphisms affect response to hepatitis C virus-specific therapy in HIV(+) patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C virus co-infection.
OBJECTIVE
Cytotoxic lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), a co-receptor expressed on T lymphocytes, is involved in the regulation of T-cell functions. Here, we analyzed the potential impact of the CTLA4 polymorphisms on response to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific treatment in HIV(+) patients co-infected with HCV.


METHODS
A total of 184 HIV/HCV co-infected Caucasian patients were enrolled into this study, including 109 patients with chronic and 75 patients with acute hepatitis C. CTLA4 genotypes were determined by LightCycler PCR.


RESULTS
We found the CTLA4 -318 C/C genotype to be associated with sustained virological response in HCV/HIV co-infection (P = 0.035). Moreover, response rates were significantly higher in patients with a +49G/G genotype [23/29 (79.3%)] than in carriers of other +49 genotypes [59/155 (38.1%); OR 6.2; P = 0.00005]. Of note, the CTLA4 +49G/G genotype was confirmed as an independent predictor for treatment response in both patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C.


CONCLUSIONS
CTLA4 polymorphisms are associated with treatment-induced resolution of HCV infection in HIV co-infected patients. These findings underline the impact of genetic host factors for successful treatment.
Nischalke
Hans Dieter
HD
Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Vogel
Martin
M
Mauss
Stefan
S
Baumgarten
Axel
A
Lutz
Thomas
T
Danta
Marc
M
Naumann
Uwe
U
Coenen
Martin
M
Sauerbruch
Tilman
T
Rockstroh
Jürgen K
JK
Spengler
Ulrich
U
Nattermann
Jacob
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents