Single-nucleotide polymorphism at CYP27B1-1260, but not VDR Taq I, is possibly associated with persistent hepatitis B virus infection

Vitamin D receptor, vitamin D binding protein and CYP27B1 single nucleotide polymorphisms and susceptibility to viral infections in infants

The role of vitamin D in innate and adaptive immunity is recently under investigation. In this study we explored the potential association of genetic variances in vitamin D pathway and infections in infancy. Τhis prospective case–control study included infants 0–24 months with infection and age-matched controls. The single nucleotide polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene (BsmI, FokI, ApaI, TaqI), vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) (Gc gene, rs7041, rs4588) and CYP27B1 (rs10877012) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. In total 132 infants were enrolled, of whom 40 with bacterial and 52 with viral infection, and 40 healthy controls. As compared to controls, ΤaqI was more frequent in infants with viral infection compared to controls (p = 0.03, OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.1–3.58). Moreover, Gc1F was more frequent in the control group compared to infants with viral infection (p = 0.007, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3–5.6). No significant differences were found regarding the genetic profile for VDR and VDBP in infants with bacterial infection compared to the controls and also regarding CYP27B1 (rs10877012) between the studied groups. Genotypic differences suggest that vitamin D pathway might be associated with the host immune response against viral infections in infancy.

Vitamin D receptor ApaI polymorphism associated with progression of liver disease in Vietnamese patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus

Background

Vitamin D derivatives and their receptor (VDR) are potent modulators of immune responses in various diseases including malignancies as well as in metabolic and infectious disorders. The impact of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms on clinical outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the potential role of VDR polymorphisms (TaqI, FokI, ApaI, and BsmI) in Vietnamese HBV infected patients and to correlate these polymorphisms with the progression of HBV-related liver disease.

Methods

Four hundred forty-three HBV infected patients of the three clinically well-defined subgroups chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n = 183), liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 89) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 171) and 238 healthy individuals (HC) were enrolled. VDR polymorphisms were genotyped by DNA sequencing and in-house validated ARMS assays. Logistic regression models were applied in order to determine the association of VDR polymorphisms with manifest HBV infection as well as with progression of related liver diseases mulin different genetic models.

Results

The VDR ApaI CA genotype was less frequent in HCC than in CHB patients in different genetic models (codominant model, OR = 0.5, 95%CI = 0.3–0.84, P = 0.004; dominant model, OR = 0.46, 95%CI = 0.27–0.76, P = 0.0023). In the recessive model, the genotype ApaI AA was found more frequently among HCC compared to CHB patients (OR = 2.56, 95%CI = 1.01–6.48, P = 0.04). Similarly, the ApaI CA genotype was less frequent in HCC than in non-HCC group codominant model, OR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.4–0.98, dominant model, P = 0.04 and OR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.38–0.90, P = 0.017). The ApaI genotypes CA and AA was significantly associated with higher levels of liver enzymes, bilirubin, and HBV DNA (P < 0.05). No association between TaqI, FokI and BsmI polymorphisms and any clinical outcome as well as liver disease progression was found.

Conclusions

Among the four investigated VDR polymorphisms, ApaI is associated with clinical outcome and liver disease progression in Vietnamese HBV infected patients.

Association of vitamin-D-related genetic variations and treatment response to pegylated interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D, a potent immune-modulator, has been linked to the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study was aimed at investigating the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin-D-related genes and treatment response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) in patients with CHB.

METHODS

A total of 275 Thai patients (122 hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive and 153 HBeAg-negative CHB) treated with 48-week PEG-IFN were recruited. Virological response (VR) at 48 weeks post-treatment was defined as HBeAg seroconversion plus HBV DNA <2,000 IU/ml for HBeAg-positive CHB and HBV DNA <2,000 IU/ml for HBeAg-negative CHB. The SNPs VDR (rs2228570), DBP (rs7041) and CYP27B1 (rs4646536) were analysed.

RESULTS

The distribution of TT, CT and CC genotypes of rs4646536 in this cohort was 21.8%, 46.2% and 32.0%, respectively. There was no difference in its distribution according to HBeAg status. In HBeAg-positive CHB, patients with TT genotype, compared with non-TT genotype, achieved higher VR (53.3% versus 31.5%; P=0.032) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance (20.0% versus 5.4%; P=0.016). In HBeAg-negative CHB, the corresponding figures were 60.0% versus 30.9% (P=0.003) and 16.7% versus 5.7% (P=0.045), respectively. Patients with TT genotype had more rapid HBsAg decline than those with non-TT genotype. However, SNPs rs2228570 and rs7041were not associated with VR and HBsAg clearance. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that SNP rs4646536 and baseline HBsAg level were independent predictors of VR in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative CHB.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that SNP rs4646536 in the CYP27B1 gene is a predictive factor of response to PEG-IFN therapy in Thai patients with CHB.

Vitamin D Receptor polymorphisms and risk of enveloped virus infection: A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin-D plays a role regulating the immune response against to viral infection. In this sense, vitamin-D deficiency may confer increased susceptibility to enveloped virus infection such as HIV, Hepatitis, Dengue and Respiratory Syncytial virus infection, among others. Vitamin D activity is mediated by its receptor (VDR), which acts as a transcription factor modulating the expression of genes triggering the response against viruses. To date, six major VDR polymorphisms (Cdx, A1012G, FokI, BsmI, ApaI and TaqI) have been studied in the context of viral infection susceptibility. Reported studies show controversial results probably due to statistical lack of power and population genetic differences.

AIMS

To do a systematic review of the published data and to perform a meta-analysis examining the role of six VDR polymorphisms on infection susceptibility to enveloped virus.

RESULTS

From all markers and virus considered an association of FokI polymorphism with RSV infection emerges as significant. The worldwide distribution of risk T-allele reveals a lower prevalence in African populations that runs parallel with the relative lower incidence of RSV-associated severe ALRI in children <1 year described in African samples.

CONCLUSION

The results disclose FokI polymorphism as a relevant variant capturing the association of VDR polymorphisms with viral infection.

Influence of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms on Response to Pegylated Interferon in Chronic Hepatitis B Egyptian Patients

BACKGROUND

We explored the effect of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms in response to PEG-IFN treatment in Egyptian chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODS

Two hundred hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients (42.3±10.7 years) on PEG-IFN α-2a (180 µg /kg for 48 weeks) and one hundred control subjects (37.3 ±12 years) were enrolled in the study. Vitamin D levels and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression were assessed by ELISA. VDR polymorphisms FokI T>C (rs 10735810), BsmI A>G (rs 1544410), ApaI (rs7975253), and TaqI C>T (rs 731236), were genotyped using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Hepatitis B virus patients expressed significantly greater AST (p=< 0.00001) and ALT (P=< 0.00001), and significantly less vitamin D (P=0.01), than control subjects. Patients with Ff or ff alleles of the FokI single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), bb alleles of BsmI SNP, or TT alleles of the Taq1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) showed greater response to PEG-IFN therapy than those with the FF (P=0.02 and P=0.0002), Bb (P=0.023), or Tt/tt alleles (P=0.01 and P=0.004 respectively). Logistic stepwise regression showed that HBV DNA (r: 0.910, P< .00001), FokI SNP polymorphism (r: 0.919, (P=0.037) and bAt haplotype (r: .926, (P=0.043) are independent factors that determine PEG-IFN treatment response in the HBV-infected patients.

CONCLUSION

VDR gene polymorphisms may be used as treatment response predictors in HBV patients receiving PEG-IFN. FokI SNP and bAt haplotype are independent factors that that can be used to determine PEG-IFN treatment responses in HBV-infected patients.

Polymorphisms of CYP27B1 are associated with IFN efficacy in HBeAg-positive patients

BACKGROUND

Host single nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with antiviral therapy in CHB patients. The CYP27B1 gene, encoding 25(OH)D₃ -1α hydroxylase, might activate 25(OH)D₃ to 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ in kidney resulted in influencing the efficacy of interferon (IFN). The aim of the study was to investigate the association between CYP27B1 polymorphisms and the response to IFN in HBeAg-positive patients.

METHODS

Eighty-seven HBeAg-positive CHB patients infected with HBV genotype B or C were included in the study. All patients were treated with IFN at least 1 year. According to the response to PEG-IFN therapy, they were divided into three groups: 16 complete responses (CR), 42 partial responses (PR), and 29 nonresponses (NR). Sanger-sequencing was utilized to genotype the CYP27B1 SNPs(rs4646536 and rs10877012).

RESULTS

In logistic regression analysis, the frequency of rs4646536 CC genotype was observed to be higher in the NR group. Besides, the GG genotype of rs10877012 differed significantly among the three groups. The GG genotype was prevalent in patients with CR, and patients with TT genotype result in NR at the end of IFN treatment. The most common haplotype TG was independently associated with CR, after adjustment, and haplotype CT appeared to be associated with NR and PR, rather than CR. The data also showed that patients with baseline 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ > 39.39 pg/mL had higher CR rates at the end of IFN therapy.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested CYP28B1 gene polymorphisms may be independently associated with the efficacy of IFN in HBeAg-positive patients.

Association between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus infection susceptibility: A meta-analysis study

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a serious public health problem. Understanding risk factors associated with development of HBV is greatly important. Numerous studies focus on relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (TaqI, FokI, ApaI, BsmI) and the risk of HBV infection in different ethnic groups. However the results published so far are inconsistent. The aim of this study is to quantify the association between VDR polymorphisms with HBV infection by meta-analysis approach.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in Pubmed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Database of Chinese Scientific and Technical Periodicals (VIP), and WANFANG. All the relevant studies were published up to October 2016.

RESULTS

Finally, 15 published studies included 4218 cases and 2298 controls were included in this meta-analysis. It is interesting to note that FokI FF tends to be a risk factor for HBV infection [FF vs. ff: P<0.01, OR (95%CI)=1.54 (1.19-2.00), I²=0.0%], with no heterogeneity. In addition, genotype Ff and allele F could increase HBV infection risk [Ff vs. ff: P<0.01, OR (95%CI)=1.39 (1.13-1.72); F vs. f: P=0.02, OR (95%CI)=1.23(1.04-1.45)]. However, no associations were found about VDR TaqI, ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms with HBV infection based on each comparison model.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis indicates that FokI genotype FF, Ff and allele F increase the risk of HBV infection. All these results support the notion that VDR FokI genotype might has potential role in HBV susceptibility.

Genetic Polymorphism of CYP27B1-1260 as Associated With Impaired Fasting Glucose in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Undergoing Antiviral Therapy

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have indicated that abnormal glucose levels and diabetes are negatively associated with the prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The genetic polymorphism of the promoter region -1260 of a gene encoding the enzyme 1-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1-1260) has been shown to have an impact on the signaling pathways involved in insulin secretion.

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to investigate the effect of CYP27B1-1260 polymorphism on the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels in patients with chronic HCV undergoing antiviral therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 461 patients with chronic HCV infection and 300 volunteers without HCV infection were enrolled in an observational cohort study in the China-Japan Union hospital of Jilin University and the Second Hospital of Daqing, Changchun, Jilin Province. Both groups were further divided into normal and abnormal FPG subgroups. The frequencies of the three CYP27B1-1260 genotypes (AA, AC, and CC) were determined in each subgroup. FPG levels were monitored at baseline in HCV and control participants, and both during and after antiviral therapy in HCV infected patients. The frequency of each genotype was determined. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors associated with abnormal FPG levels in HCV infected patients undergoing antiviral therapy.

RESULTS

In HCV infected patients with abnormal FPG levels, the frequency of the genotype CC was significantly higher than that in patients with normal FPG levels (19% vs. 7%, P < 0.001). In contrast, in the control participants, the CC genotype was not significantly different between FPG groups. At baseline, the CC genotype was associate with four times more risk of IFG after adjusting for multiple variables (OR: 4.11; 95%CI: 1.98 - 8.52, P = 0.0001). During 24 weeks of anti-HCV treatment, 38 HCV participants developed newly-diagnosed impaired fasting glucose. The CC genotype markedly increased the risk for newly developed IFG (OR: 26.54; 95%CI: 7.80 - 90.32, P < 0.0001). Other risk factors included age and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

CYP27B1-1260 polymorphism is associated with abnormal glucose metabolism in HCV infected patients. HCV infected individuals with CYP27B1-1260 genotype CC appeared to have an increased risk of developing abnormal FPG levels.

Role of CYP27B1+2838 promoter polymorphism in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B HBeAg negative with PEG-interferon

In HBV-infected patients, the vitamin D deficiency has been related to chronic liver diseases, progression of hepatic fibrosis and poor response to the treatment. The CYP27B1 gene, which encodes the 1-α-hidroxylase and involved in the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D synthesis, was recently associated to type-1 diabetes, autoimmune disorders and treatment response in HCV. Then, we aimed to investigate the role of CYP27B1 polymorphisms in HBV treatment with PEG-IFN. We retrospectively enrolled 190 patients with chronic hepatitis B HBeAg negative treated for 48 weeks with PEG-IFN α-2a. We examined the role of rs4646536 CYP27B1 SNP (CYP27B1+2838) according to virological and serological response. Our results showed that the TT genotype of CYP27B1+2838 was significantly prevalent in patients with end-of-therapy virological response (37.6%) vs CT/CC (9.4%) (P < 0.001). Virological relapse was prevalent in patients with CT/CC genotype (12.6%) vs TT genotype (2.1%) (P < 0.001). TT genotype was also related to HBsAg loss (P = 0.004) and anti-HBs appearance (P = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, the TT genotype resulted to be a good positive predictor of sustained virological response (OR = 5.632, IC = 1.938-16.368, P = 0.001) and serological response (OR = 6.161, IC = 1.856-20.457, P = 0.003). The CYP27B1+2838 polymorphism may be useful as pretreatment factor to selection of patients with higher probability of response to therapy.

Vitamin D and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Various Hepatitis B Clinical Conditions in Turkey

Background

The aim is to define the role of single nucleotide polymorphism on the progress of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We evaluated polymorphisms of TNF-α-308, Vitamin D receptor Apa I and Taq I gene in patients with HBV infection.

Methods

All subjects included were older than 18 years old. Sixty three patients had chronic HBV infection, 61 were HBsAg positive carriers and 59 were positive for anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Gene polymorphisms were evaluated by Amplification Refractory Mutation System PCR. For patients with chronic hepatitis, viral load, ALT levels, and histopathological evaluation of the liver were also compared.

Results

Gender distribution was not different among groups; however, anti-HBs positive patients were significantly older than the other patients. ALT levels and viral load were significantly higher in chronic hepatitis group than the asymptomatic carriers group. Vitamin D receptor Apa I gene and Taq I gene and TNF-α -308 gene variant alleles were not different in all three groups. Variant alleles of three genes were not different in subgroups of chronic hepatitis patients formed according to ALT levels, viral load, histological activity index, and fibrosis score.

Conclusions

Role of single nucleotide polymorphism in clinical status of various HBV infection states was not shown in this study. Considering the other studies performed with this aim, which strengthens the notion that ethnicity is an important factor, future studies with more patients from different ethnic groups may help to clear the role of polymorphisms in the clinical progress of HBV infection.