Non-association of IL-12 +1188 and IFN-γ +874 polymorphisms with cytokines serum level in occult HBV infected patients

Abstract

Background/Aim:Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is identified as a form of hepatitis in which despite the absence of detectable HBsAg, HBV-DNA is observed in peripheral blood of patients. The main aim of this study has been to investigate the association between polymorphisms in +874 of IFN-γ and +1188 of IL-12 with their serum level in patients suffering from OBI.Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, plasma samples of 3700 blood donors were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBc by ELISA. The HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ samples were selected and screened for HBV-DNA by PCR. HBV-DNA positive samples were assigned as OBI cases and ARMS-PCR techniques were performed to examine the two known polymorphisms within IL-12 and IFN-γ. In addition, the serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ were also determined by ELISA.Results:Results of this study demonstrated that, 352 (9.5%) out of 3700 blood samples were HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ and HBV-DNA was detected in 57/352 (16.1%) of HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ samples. Our results showed that groups showed significant difference in CC allele of +1188 region of IL-12 and no difference was observed in the other evaluated genes. Our results also showed that the alleles of +1188 region of IL-12 and alleles of +874 of IFN-γ were also not associated with serum level of cytokines.Conclusion:According to the results of this study, it may be concluded that the polymorphisms in +1188 region of IL-12 and +874 region of IFN-γ would not affect the expression of both cytokines at serum level in OBI patients.

The IL-10 Promoter Polymorphism at Position −592 is Correlated with Susceptibility to Occult HBV Infection

“…The majority of post transfusion hepatitis B infections are caused by OBI [4], which we previously reported in our investigations in Isfahan [5] and Kerman [4], the two main central provinces of Iran. The mechanisms responsible for progression of OBI are yet to be clarified; however, some investigators have suggested that genetic and immunological parameters may play a significant role in the resistance of some individuals and sensitivity of others [4,6,7]. The key roles of IL-10 as an inhibitory cytokine of autoimmune and inflammatory reactions [8] raise questions concerning the impacts of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of OBI.…”

“…Despite the application of programs for appropriate screening of all donated blood and blood components for HBsAg, some cases of posttransfusion hepatitis B are reported worldwide [3]. The majority of post transfusion hepatitis B infections are caused by OBI [4], which we previously reported in our investigations in Isfahan [5] and Kerman [4], the two main central provinces of Iran. The mechanisms responsible for progression of OBI are yet to be clarified; however, some investigators have suggested that genetic and immunological parameters may play a significant role in the resistance of some individuals and sensitivity of others [4,6,7].…”

“…HBsAg-negative and HBV-DNA/anti-HBc-positive samples were considered as OBI, while, HBsAg/HBV-DNA-negative, and anti-HBc-positive samples were selected as healthy controls. Selection of OBI patients and healthy controls was described previously [4]. The study protocol was approved by the ethical committee of the Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.…”

Association of T Helper 1 Cytokine Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease

“…Some studies reported that patients who carry the IL-12 -1188 C allele are low IL-12 producers, while other studies found no evidence of the polymorphism effect on cytokine expression [41,42]. The IL-12 -1188 C allele or CC genotype has been associated with inflammatory and infectious diseases such as asthma [43], tuberculosis [44], leprosy [41], subacute sclerosing panencephalitis [45], and occult hepatitis B infection [42]; on the other hand, the AA genotype confers an increased risk of psoriatic arthritis [46] and multiple sclerosis [47]. IL2/IL21 and IL12B have been identified in genome-wide association studies to be associated with CD and UC [48][49][50].…”

Association study between polymorphism of interleukin 12B 1188A/C and hepatitis B virus infection in a Chinese Han population

“…While Morahan et al demonstrated that this polymorphism was associated with a decreased IL-12B mRNA expression by EBV transformed cell lines [25]. Arababadi et al suggested that the polymorphisms in 1188 region of IL-12 and +874 region of IFN-γ would not affect the expression of both cytokines at a serum level in Occult HBV Infected Patients [26]. In addition, previous research provided several reports about the association between the polymorphism of IL-12A with HBV infection.…”