title: CCR5 Polymorphism as a Protective Factor for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Iranian Patients
abstract: The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) delta 32 allele results in a nonfunctional form of the chemokine receptor
  and has been implicated in a variety of immune-mediated diseases. CCR5Δ32 may also predispose one to chronic
  liver disease or be linked with resistance to HBV infection.This study was undertaken to investigate any association
  between CCR5 polymorphism with resistance to hepatitis B or susceptibility to HBV infection. A total of 812 Iranian
  individuals were enrolled into two groups: HBV infected cases (n=357), who were HBsAg-positive, and healthy controls
  (n=455). We assessed polymorphisms in the CCR5 gene using specific CCR5 oligonucleotide primers surrounding
  the breakpoint deletion. Genotype distributions of the HBV infected cases and healthy controls were determined and
  compared. The CCR5/CCR5 (WW) and CCR5/ CCR5Δ32 (W/D) genotypes were found in (98%) and (2%) of HBV
  infected cases, respectively. The CCR5 Δ32/ Δ32genotype was not found in HBV infected cases. Genotype distributions
  of CCR5 in healthy controls were W/W genotype in (87.3%), W/D genotype in (11.2%) and D/D genotype in (1.5%).
  Heterozygosity for CCR5/ CCR5Δ32 (W/D) in healthy controls was greater than in HBV infected cases (11.2% vs
  2%, p < 0.001). W/D and D/D genotypes were more prominent in healthy controls than in HBV infected cases. This
  study provides evidence that the CCR5Δ32 polymorphism may have a protective effect in resistance to HBV infection
  at least in the Iranian population.
authors.affiliation: Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. Email: shahbazimajid@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdolmohammadi
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahbazi Azar
authors.forename: Ayyoob
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khosravi
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahbazi
keywords: CC chemokine receptor 5; chemokine receptor; disease susceptibility; hepatitis B virus