Polymorphism in 3'-untranslated region of toll-like receptor 4 gene is associated with protection from hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence is one of the more severe complications following liver transplantation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in human immunity by recognizing various bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLRs are thought to have an impact on the susceptibility to some pathogens. This study focused on the association between polymorphisms in the TLRs and HBV recurrence after liver transplantation in Han Chinese patients.


METHODS
A total of 41 tag SNPs in TLRs were detected by the snapshot technique in 125 patients with primary HBV-related diseases receiving liver transplantation in our center from 2004 to 2008.


RESULTS
By comparing the genetic variations and clinical data between the HBV recurrence patients and nonrecurrence patients, we found that the variant genotype of rs11536889 (TLR4) was significantly associated with HBV recurrence after liver transplantation (P = 0.040, odds ratio was 0.390, 95% confidence interval 0.159-0.957).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that polymorphism in 3'-untranslated regions of the TLR4 gene may be related to protection from HBV recurrence after liver transplantation in Han Chinese patients.
Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province.
L
L
Zhou
B
B
Wei
C
C
Xing
H
H
Xie
X
X
Yu
L
L
Wu
S
S
Zheng
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4