The Association Between Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms And The Outcomes Of Chronic HBV Infection

AIM: To investigate whether the gene polymorphisms in TNF-αgene, IL-10 gene and IL-6 gene were associated with the outcomes of chronic HBV infection. METHODS: The genotypes at the position–238 and -308 of TNF-αgene,–1082,-819 and–592 of IL-10 gene,–174 of IL-6 gene in the promoter region were detected in 62 chronic hepatitis B patients﹑60 asymptomatic carriers and 63 heath controls by Polymerase chain reaction- Sequence specific primer (PCR -SSP)assay. Liver biopsy was performed in 31 chronic hepatitis B patients to analyze the correlation between different IL-10 haplotypes and liver pathologic changes.RESULTS: The frequency of G/G genotype at the position–238 in the promoter region of TNF-αgene increased significantly in hepatitis B patients, in comparison with that in controls (83.9% VS 66.7%, P <0.05),whereas the frequency of G/A genotype at the same position decreased significantly in hepatitis B patients compare with that in controls (16.1% VS 33.3%,P <0.05).Between chronic hepatitis B patients and heath controls﹑asymptomatic carriers and heath controls , the genotypes frequency at the position -308 of TNF-αgene,-1082,-819 and–592 of IL-10 gene ,-174 of IL-6 gene in the promoter region show no significant differences(P>0.05). Among 31 chronic hepatitis B patients who had undergone liver biopsy, there were no correlation between different IL-10 haplotypes and hepatic fibrosis degrees (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: There existed an association between TNF-αgene polymorphisms at the position–238 in the promoter region and chronic HBV infection .The presence of G/A genotype at the position–238 may contribute to virus elimination, whereas the presence of G/G genotype at the position–238 may lead to virus persistent infection. There were no association between IL-10 gene and IL-6 gene polymorphisms and chronic HBV infection.