Association of Interleukin-27 rs 153109 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism with Spontaneous Resolution of Hepatitis C Virus - Genotype 4a Infection in Egyptian Patients

Abstract

Background: HCV is a major global health problem. IL-27 is a member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family with a broad range of anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies highlighted the effect of a SNP in the IL-27 promoter region on modulating the progression of infectious diseases and individual responses to therapy. Aim of the work: The present study investigated the potential role of (-964 A/G) SNP in the promoter region of IL-27p28 gene (alleles rs153109) on the outcome of HCV infection among genotype 4a infected patients. Materials and Methods: HCV genotyping confirmed that all of the HCV-infected patients had genotype 4a infection. Genomic DNA was extracted from 111 patients with chronic HCV infection, 42 spontaneous resolvers (SR) and 16 healthy controls. IL-27p28.rs153109 genotyping was assessed using PCR-RFLP then confirmed by DNA sequencing. Results: The frequency of IL-27-p28.rs153109AA, AG, and GG genotypes among chronically infected subjects were 74.8 %, 25.2%, and 0% while among the SR, they were 57.1%, 35.7%, and 7.14%, respectively. Our data show the unique presence of G/G genotype in the SR group (3 patients; 7.14%). Moreover, the "G" allele frequencies among chronic and resolved subjects were 12.6% and 25.0%, respectively (p=0.0136). Importantly, subjects with the GG genotype were more likely to clear their HCV infection than those with the AA genotype (p=0.0118). Conclusions: HCV genotype 4a subjects with the IL-27-p28.rs153109 A/G and G/G genotype were more likely to clear their HCV infection. Therefore, we propose IL-27p28.rs153109SNPas a genetic biomarker for predicting HCV infection outcome.

The effects of IL-27 and IL-35 gene variation and expression levels on the susceptibility and clinical manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis

“…In addition, IL-27 was considered to be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of PTB and TB pleurisy by comparing its expression level in pleural effusion and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( 21 , 22 ). Notably, the polymorphism in the IL-27 gene could regulate host innate and adaptive immune response and was associated with infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and caner ( 23 – 25 ). For example, the rs17855750 variant was considered to be a risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer in the Chinese population ( 23 ), and a protective factor for ulcerative colitis in the Mexican population ( 24 ), while rs153109 might contribute to virus clearance in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection ( 25 ).…”

“…Notably, the polymorphism in the IL-27 gene could regulate host innate and adaptive immune response and was associated with infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and caner ( 23 – 25 ). For example, the rs17855750 variant was considered to be a risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer in the Chinese population ( 23 ), and a protective factor for ulcerative colitis in the Mexican population ( 24 ), while rs153109 might contribute to virus clearance in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection ( 25 ). However, our present study revealed no association between rs153109 and rs17855750 polymorphism in the IL-27 gene and susceptibility to PTB.…”