Relationship between cytokine gene polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a public health problem worldwide, being endemic in some parts of the world. It can lead to serious liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer. The differences in host immune response can be one of the reasons for the various clinical presentations of HBV infection. Polymorphisms of genes encoding the proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines, which are responsible for regulation of the immune response, can affect the clinical presentation of the infection. Particularly, the polymorphisms of the genes encoding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-28B, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, tumor growth factor-β1, and regulatory molecules like vitamin D receptor and chemokine receptor 5 can be responsible for different clinical presentations of HBV infections. The genomic information about cytokines and other mediators can be important for determining high-risk people for developing chronic hepatitis or hepatocellular cancer and may be used to plan treatment and preventive approaches for these people. In this review, the current knowledge in the literature on the association between cytokine/regulatory molecule gene polymorphisms and clinical course of chronic HBV infection is summarized, and the clinical implementations and future prospects regarding this knowledge are discussed.

Association of Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Levels of IL-18 with the Susceptibility to Infection with Hepatitis B Virus

“…In conclusion, this study indicated that cytokine production was significantly influenced by the genotype frequency distribution. A possible positive relationship between serum IL-18 level and disease severity of HBV infection has been reported during a clinical study [19]. Another study conducted on a Chinese population, the IL-18 -137 SNP with C allele was shown to be associated with protection against HBV infection [20].…”

Systems Immunology Reveals Markers of Susceptibility to West Nile Virus Infection

“…While we cannot exclude that responses in severe subjects may result from WNV infection or effects of persistent antigen (17,48), our findings of differential innate cell function suggest that naive responses are being examined. Finally, it will be valuable to examine IL-1 responses across different populations, as IL-1 is known to vary in genetic association studies and, as a key regulator of the inflammatory process, may be critical to resistance to viral infections (49).…”

Association between IL-10 genetic variations and cervical cancer susceptibility in a Chinese population

“…For instance, Tang et al (2014) carried out an investigation of 660 deep venous thrombosis patients and 660 control subjects, from which they found that the IL-10 -1082A/G polymorphism is associated with risk of this disease among Chinese individuals. Tunçbilek (2014) revealed that sequence variations in this same gene are involved in different clinical presentations of HBV infection, while Pan et al (2015) conducted a meta-analysis indicating that IL-10 -592A/C and -1082A/ G polymorphisms can affect susceptibility to sepsis. Ramis et al (2015) failed to identify a significant association between IL-10 gene variants and H. pylori infection; however, An et al (2015) reported that IL-10 -592A/C and -819C/T polymorphisms can influence valvular calcification risk in Han and Kazak populations.…”

“…Previous studies have examined associations between the IL-10 -592A/C, -819C/T, and -1082A/G polymorphisms and several conditions related to inflammation, including deep venous thrombosis, chronic hepatitis B virus infection, sepsis, Helicobacter pylori infection, valvular calcification, and peptic ulcer diseases (Tang et al, 2014;Tunçbilek, 2014;An et al, 2015;Miftahussurur and Yamaoka, 2015;Pan et al, 2015;Ramis et al, 2015). For instance, Tang et al (2014) carried out an investigation of 660 deep venous thrombosis patients and 660 control subjects, from which they found that the IL-10 -1082A/G polymorphism is associated with risk of this disease among Chinese individuals.…”