Short communication: serum-based assay accurately detects single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL28B and SOCS3 in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected subjects

Genetic polymorphisms rs1800871 and rs1800872 of IL-10 gene are associated with dengue infection, especially with serotype 1 and DwoWS in Mexican population

INTRODUCTION

Dengue infection is generated by a complex interaction between DENV (Dengue Virus) and the host's immune response. Interleukin-10 is an immunoregulatory cytokine during DENV infection. The objective of this study was to investigate whether genetic variants in IL-10 could be useful as a predictive and susceptibility marker in the prognosis of DENV infection, particularly with serotype 1, and in participants with dengue without warning signs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A study of cases (n = 365) and controls (n = 364) was carried out. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR using TaqMan probes. Sample size power was calculated using Quanto software RESULTS: This is the first report showing the independent association of the T allele of rs1800871 (P = 0.023) and the A allele of rs1800872 (P = 0.010) with the risk of dengue infection. Statistical analysis established the genotypic association of IL-10 SNPs with DENV infection under different inheritance models. Our results also showed the association of the CC, TC, and CA haplotypes (P = 0.0064, P = 0.0032, and P = 0.0010 respectively) with infection. Furthermore, both polymorphic sites were associated with the risk of DwoWS and serotype 1 (Den-1) under different inheritance models. Finally, under the dominant model, we identified a positive correlation between IL-10 levels vs. IFN-γ and IL-8.

CONCLUSION

Our results show the first independent association of the T and A alleles of the polymorphic sites rs1800871 and rs1800872, with dengue infection, particularly with Den-1, and in participants with DwoWs.

The oral toll-like receptor-7 agonist GS-9620 in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

BACKGROUND & AIMS

GS-9620 is an oral agonist of toll-like receptor 7, a pattern-recognition receptor whose activation results in innate and adaptive immune stimulation. We evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of GS-9620 in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

In two double-blind, phase 1b trials of identical design, 49 treatment-naïve and 51 virologically suppressed patients were randomized 5:1 to receive GS-9620 (at doses of 0.3mg, 1mg, 2mg, 4mg) or placebo as a single dose or as two doses seven days apart. Pharmacodynamic assessment included evaluation of peripheral mRNA expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), serum interferon gamma-induced protein 10 and serum interferon (IFN)-alpha.

RESULTS

Overall, 74% of patients were male and 75% were HBeAg negative at baseline. No subject discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Fifty-eight percent experienced ⩾1 adverse event, all of which were mild to moderate in severity. The most common adverse event was headache. No clinically significant changes in HBsAg or HBV DNA levels were observed. Overall, a transient dose-dependent induction of peripheral ISG15 gene expression was observed peaking within 48 hours of dosing followed by return to baseline levels within seven days. Higher GS-9620 dose, HBeAg positive status, and low HBsAg level at baseline were independently associated with greater probability of ISG15 response. Most patients (88%) did not show detectable levels of serum IFN-alpha at any time point.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral GS-9620 was safe, well tolerated, and associated with induction of peripheral ISG15 production in the absence of significant systemic IFN-alpha levels or related symptoms.

MTHFD1 gene polymorphisms as risk factors involved in orofacial cleft: an independent case-control study and a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) were among the most familiar birth defects in the world, which had been reported to be influenced by the folic acid ingestion in pregnancy previously. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase1 (MTHFD1) gene was associated with the susceptibility of OFCs through a complex metabolism correlate with folic acid. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within MTHFD1 related to the OFCs risk in a Chinese population.

METHODS

By the use of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), we genotyped 5 filtered SNPs (identified by Haploview 4.2 software with HapMap databases) on MTHFD1 gene: 118913T>C, 31136A>G, 58893A>G, 1958G>A and 61869T>C of 216 subjects (108 OFCs cases and 108 healthy controls) from a Chinese population. The association between these SNPs and OFCs risk was investigated by student t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square test with GraphPad Prism 5.0 software. Furthermore, we also performed a meta-analysis of relevant studies to investigate the association between MTHFD1 1958G>A and the susceptibility of OFCs.

RESULTS

Through the genotyping, the AA genotype was found significantly correlated with the susceptibility of OFCs compared with other SNPs on MTHFD1, yielding an OR of 2.71 (95% CI = 1.12-6.58, P = 0.025) under the homozygous model and an OR of 2.37 (95% CI = 1.06-5.30, P = 0.033) under the recessive model. While other selected SNPs 118913T>C and 31136A>G were also associated with an increased OFC risk, the results were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). However, the overall result of meta-analysis did not support the conclusion that the 1958G>A variant could be a genetic susceptible factor for OFCs (A allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.85-1.23, AA vs. GG: OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.69-1.63, GA vs. GG: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.81-1.27, AA vs. GG+GA: OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.61-1.46, AA+GA vs. GG: OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.74-1.19).

CONCLUSIONS

The MTHFD1 1958G>A variant was significantly associated with the increased OFCs risk in Chinese population. However, this association was not supported by meta-analysis of all relevant studies. Further investigations about functional impact of this polymorphism were needed.