TNFA -308G>A and IL10 -1082A>G Polymorphisms as Predictive Biomarkers of Chronic HCV Infection

Abstract

Genetic changes may induce dysregulated cytokine production and affect the progression of the chronic disease caused by the hepacivirus C (HCV) because the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines determines the outcome of infection. This study evaluated the TNFA − 308G > A and IL10 -1082A > G polymorphisms in the susceptibility and progress of chronic hepatitis C. The study included 101 samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C and 300 samples from healthy donors. Polymorphisms were typed by real-time PCR and were analyzed for associations with histopathological parameters (according to METAVIR classification) and HCV viral load. The polymorphic genotype for the TNFA − 308G > A variant was not present in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis C and was associated with protection against HCV infection (p = 0.0477). Patients with the polymorphic genotype of the IL10 -1082A > G polymorphism had higher HCV viral load than wild-type patients (p = 0.0428). Neither polymorphism was associated with different levels of necroinflammatory activity or fibrosis scores. The polymorphic genotype at TNFA − 308G > A protected against chronic HCV infection, and the polymorphic genotype at the IL10 -1082A > G variant was associated with viral persistence.