title: Clinical Relevance of HLA Gene Variants in HBV Infection.
abstract: Host gene variants may influence the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in humans, is one of the most important host factors that are correlated with the clinical course of HBV infection. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near certain HLA gene loci are strongly associated with not only persistent HBV infection but also spontaneous HBV clearance and seroconversion, disease progression, and the development of liver cirrhosis and HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). These variations also influence the efficacy of interferon (IFN) and nucleot(s)ide analogue (NA) treatment and response to HBV vaccines. Meanwhile, discrepant conclusions were reached with different patient cohorts. It is therefore essential to identify the associations of specific HLA allele variants with disease progression and viral clearance in chronic HBV infection among different ethnic populations. A better understanding of HLA polymorphism relevance in HBV infection outcome would enable us to elucidate the roles of HLA SNPs in the pathogenesis and clearance of HBV in different areas and ethnic groups, to improve strategies for the prevention and treatment of chronic HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Hospital of Yantai, 62 Huanshan Road, Zhifu District, Yantai, Shandong 264001, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Hospital of Yantai, 62 Huanshan Road, Zhifu District, Yantai, Shandong 264001, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D012306:Risk; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006680:HLA Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha