Single nucleotide polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs8099917 in IL-28B and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C genotype 4

Abstract

Background The present study invistigated the single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-28B at two sites (rs12979860 and rs8099917) in patients with active HCV infection and those with spontaneous clearance of HCV. Materials and methods The study included 100 patients with positive HCV antibodies with positive HCV-RNA by real time PCR in two or more times during 6 months with HCV genotype 4 Moreover, 100 subjects were included with positive HCV-IgG for 2 times or more and negative HCV -RNA by real time PCR for 2 times or more within 6 months and with normal ALT. The blood samples obtained from patients were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) study at two points IL-28B for rs8099917 and rs12979860. Results There was significantly reduced levels of CC genotypes of rs12979860 and TT of rs8099917 in patients with chronic hepatitis C compared to those with spontaneous clearance of HCV genotype 4 (P=0.0001). In patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, there was significant association of genotypes TT and GG of IL-28- rs12979860 and rs 8099917 with Child-Pugh classification (48.5%, 54.5% respectively). Moreover, there was significantly higher HCV-RNA in patients with genotypes TT and GG of IL28- rs12979860 and rs8099917 compared to other genotypes and elevated mean ALT IU/ml (52.4± 23.3, 59.1± 20.9 respectively, P=0.01). Conclusions The findings of the present study highlights protective roles for C and T genotypes of rs12979860 and rs8099917 respectively and its association with spontaneous clearance of HCV genotype 4.