Value of IFNL3 genetic polymorphism in the prediction of HCV treatment response to direct-acting antiviral drugs versus interferon therapy

Background: Despite the outstanding results of direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAs) of Hepatitis C infection (HCV), non-responders had to be more defined. Aim: assess the outcome of DAAs in linkage with Interferon lambda 3 (IFNL3) in HCV patients. Methods: This case-control-study was conducted on 495 chronic-HCV (genotype-4a), previously treated Egyptians by either DAAs (responders 195, 120 relapsers) or interferon/ribavirin (IFN/RBV) (140 responders, 60 relapsers), and 98 healthy controls. IFNL3 distribution, clinical and laboratory data were assessed. Results: CT was the most predominant genotype in Egyptians (51%). All genotypes were sensitive to DAAs mainly CT genotype (60%), even TT genotype (resistant to IFN/RBV 40%) had 29.2% sensitivity. CT genotype was predominant in sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir responders (67.6%) (OR = 0.66), while non-CT prevailed in relapsers (56.7%). TT genotype may respond to SOF/Ledi better than other regimens (66.7%). In IFN/RBV relapsers; CT genotype was commoner (50%) than others, while CC genotype predominated in responders (54.3%). The c allele was the commonest in responders to IFN/RBV (71.4%), while the T allele was resistant to treatment (65% in relapsers). Addition of RBV to SOF/DCV reported higher resistance with CT genotype (42.2%-50%) and TT genotype (17.8%-27.8%). Conclusion: This study recommended IFNL3 genotyping to be a prerequisite before stratifying treatment for HCV-4a Egyptians.

The association between interleukin-28B gene polymorphisms as a potential biomarker and the risk of chronic Periodontitis in an Iranian population

BACKGROUND

Chronic Periodontitis (CP) is a common inflammatory disease affects supporting tissues of the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between polymorphisms in the IL-28B gene and chronic periodontitis in an Iranian population.

METHODS

Two hundred and ten CP patients and one hundred healthy subjects were enrolled in the present case-control study. The rs12979860 and rs8099917 SNPs were identified using RFLP and T-ARMS-PCR methods respectively.

RESULTS

SNP analysis revealed that the G allele of rs8099917 SNP and T allele of rs12979860 SNP increased susceptibility to CP compared to the A allele and C allele (p < 0.0001, OR = 2.712, CI = 1.783-4.126; p < 0.0001, OR = 2.538, CI = 1.784-3.613 respectively). In addition, the CT/GT, TT/GG and TT/GT haplotypes were predominant in CP patients and significantly associated with the increased risk of CP.

CONCLUSION

IL-28B polymorphisms may be useful predictive factors for chronic periodontitis and correlated to the susceptibility to CP infection in our population.

Interleukin 10 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms in Polish patients with chronic hepatitis C: Analysis of association with severity of disease and treatment outcome

It is suggested that interleukin 10 (IL-10), as a modulator of immune response, is likely to influence the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the progression of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and the response to interferon-based therapy in CHC patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-10 gene with severity of liver disease (degree of inflammation and stage of fibrosis) and outcome of pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin combined therapy (sustained virological response (SVR) and relapse) in 196 Polish CHC patients infected with HCV genotype 1. The analysis included IL-10 promoter SNPs: -1082(A/G) rs1800896, -819(C/T) rs1800871, -592(C/A) rs1800872 and SNP in the 3' UTR of IL-10 gene: +4529(A/G) rs3024498. Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP and HRM analysis. It was demonstrated that the -592C allele is associated with mild hepatic inflammation. Moreover, it was found that the -819C allele might be associated with SVR and that the ACCA haplotype and intermediate IL-10 producer ACC haplotype are associated with SVR and non-relapse. It can be concluded that IL-10 SNPs are associated with severity of disease and response to therapy and may be considered as potential prognostic and predictive markers in CHC.

Interleukin-10.rs1800896 and Interleukin-18.rs1946518 gene polymorphisms could not predict the outcome of hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the interleukin (IL)-28B gene was used as a major predictor of the response to treatment in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Data examining the role of IL-10 and IL-18 gene polymorphisms among HCV genotype 4 (G4)-infected Egyptians in response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy are limited. This study investigated the impact of SNP at IL-10.rs1800896 (at position -1082) and IL-18.rs1946518 genes (at position -607) on the response to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy in HCV-infected Egyptians. This study was carried out on 100 HCV patients treated with PEG-IFN plus RBV and 100 healthy controls. The HCV patients included 50 treatment non-responders (NR) and 50 subjects with sustained virologic response (SVR). Genomic DNA from venous blood of subjects was extracted and IL-10.rs1800896 and IL-18.rs1946518 genotypes were determined using allele-specific amplification and SYBR Green real-time PCR. Linkage disequilibrium between the two SNPs was estimated using Haploview software. The frequency of the IL-10.rs1800896 AA, AG and GG genotypes among non-responders were 16 %, 70 % and 14 % while among SVR subjects, the frequency was 34 %, 60 % and 6 %, respectively (p=0.073). On the other hand, the frequency of the IL-18.rs1946518 AA, AC and CC genotypes among non-responders was 14 %, 50 % and 36 %, respectively, while among responders, these frequencies were 28 %, 44 % and 28 %, (p = 0.220). Both markers were in linkage equilibrium (D' = 0.23; r (2) = 0.052). SNPs in the IL-10.rs1800896 and IL-18.rs1946518 genes could not predict the outcome of HCV infection in Egyptians treated with PEG-IFN/RBV.

Polymorphisms of IL-10 gene in patients infected with HCV under antiviral treatment in southern Brazil

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that plays an important role in the regulation of the immune system. Gene polymorphisms of IL-10 have been associated with the different expression levels of this cytokine. In hepatitis C virus infection, IL-10 appears to interfere with the progression of disease, viral persistence and the response to therapy. This study investigated genetic variability in the IL-10 gene promoter between patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and healthy individuals, associating the frequency of polymorphisms with different aspects of viral infection. This is a case-control study with 260 patients who were infected with HCV and 260 healthy individuals. Genotyping of the polymorphisms was performed using the technique of amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR) for regions of the IL-10 gene promoter (-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A). The frequencies of alleles and genotypes related to polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter showed a higher frequency of the G allele and genotype GG in the -1082 region between the infected group and the control group (p=0.005 and p=0.001, respectively), whereas the AA genotype was significantly more frequent in the control group. The frequencies of the haplotypes GTA and GCC were higher in the group of infected individuals, whereas the haplotype ATA was more frequent in the healthy group (p<0.006). It was also observed that the genotypes GG and AG in the region -1082 were significantly more frequent among patients infected with HCV who were in advanced stages of fibrosis and cirrhosis (p=0.042). No association was observed between polymorphisms of IL-10 and sustained virologic response (SVR).

IL28B and IL10R -1087 polymorphisms are protective for chronic genotype 1 HCV infection and predictors of response to interferon-based therapy in an East-Central European cohort

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in IL28B and IL10R are associated with sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegilated interferon plus ribavirin (P/R). The present study extends our earlier investigations on a large East-Central European cohort. The allele frequencies of IL28B and IL10R in genotype 1 HCV infection were compared with that of healthy controls for the purpose of examining the relationship between the polymorphisms and the SVR to P/R treatment.

METHODS

A total of 748 chronic HCV1 infected patients (365 male, 383 female; 18-82 years) and 105 voluntary blood donors as controls were enrolled. Four hundred and twenty HCV patients were treated with P/R for 24-72 weeks, out of them 195 (46.4%) achieved SVR. The IL28 rs12979860 SNP was determined using Custom Taqman SNP Genotyping Assays. The IL10R -1087 (also known as IL10R -1082 (rs1800896) promoter region SNP was determined by RT-PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTS

The IL28B CC genotype occurred with lower frequency in HCV patients than in controls (26.1% vs 51.4%, p<0.001). P/R treated patients with the IL28B CC genotype achieved higher SVR rate, as compared to patients with CT (58.6% vs 40.8%, p=0.002). The prevalence of IL10R -1087 GG genotype was lower in patients than in controls (31.8 % vs 52.2%, p<0.001). Among patients achieving SVR, the IL10R -1087 GG genotype occurred with higher frequency than the AA (32.0% vs 17.4%, p=0.013). The IL28B T allele plus IL10R A allele combination was found with higher prevalence in patients than in controls (52% vs 20.7%, p<0.001). The IL28B CC plus IL10R A allele combination occurred with higher frequency among patients with SVR than in non-responders (21.3% vs 12.8%, p=0.026). Both the IL28B CC plus IL10R GG and the IL28B CC plus IL10R A allele combinations occurred with lower frequency in patients than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In our HCV1 patients, both the IL28B CC and IL10R GG genotypes are associated with clearance of HCV. Moreover, distinct IL28B and IL10R allele combinations appear to be protective against chronic HCV1 infection and predictors of response to P/R therapy.

Measurement and clinical significance of interleukin 28B in hepatitis C virus-infected liver transplant patients

One-third of the liver transplantations are performed because of hepatitis C cirrhosis all over the world and also in Hungary. The recurrence rate is practically 100%, influencing graft and patient survivals; within 5 years cirrhosis develops again in 20% to 30% of cases. The therapy is pegylated interferon α-2a and α-2b plus ribavirin as for nontransplanted subjects with the goal to eradicate the virus and maintain graft function. In 25% to 45% of treated patients, it is possible to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). The response is influenced by viral, donor, and recipient factors. We investigated the genotype of 68 liver recipients transplanted because of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection between September 1998 and February 2011. We focused on the interleukin (IL) 28B gene locus single nucleotide polymorphism found on chromosome 19; the rs12979860 minor allele (homozygous [wild TT and CC], heterozygous [CT]) in relation to the interferon response. Ten percent of the patients belonged to the CC, 62% to the CT, and 28% to the TT group, and 83% of the CC group became negative or therapy is still ongoing. The CT genotype reached 15.4% SVR with ongoing treatment for most patients. In TT carriers showed a 23.5% SVR. Our patients formed a homogenous group regarding the surgical team, the therapy, and the HCV genotype. Ninety percent belonged to the possible "hard to treat" group. The 10% CC group gave the highest number of SVR and HCV polymerase chain reaction negativity upon antiviral therapy. Regarding our results, one has to take in consideration the small patient number and the fact that the cirrhotic patients were listed for transplantation where they could not be treated or became therapy-resistant. IL28B is just one predictive factor among others for successful posttransplant HCV therapy; further examinations are needed to fully understand its role.

Interleukin 28B Gene Polymorphism and Association with Chronic Hepatitis C Therapy Results in Latvia

Introduction. With the standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C, sustained virological response (SVR) can be achieved only in half of all patients. Interleukin-28B appears to be involved in the control of HCV infection, and the genetic polymorphism of the encoding IL-28B gene may determine the efficacy of clearance of HCV. The aim of this paper was to detect IL-28B gene polymorphism in Latvia and to analyze therapy results. This is the first study on IL-28B gene polymorphism in Latvia. Material and Methods. There were 159 chronic viral hepatitis C patients included in the study. In order to detect IL-28B gene polymorphism, we used molecular biology techniques and methods: classical DNA separation, amplification by PCR, and standard sequencing. Genotype was defined as CC, CT, TC, or TT type. 142 patients were treated with the standard of care treatment. Results were analyzed according to IL-28B polymorphism. Results. There were 53 patients (33%) with CC genotype, 84 patients (53%) with CT/TC genotype, and 22 patients (14%) with TT genotype. 34 patients (74%) in CC genotype subgroup achieved SVR versus 50 patients (52%) in non-CC subgroups. In patients with genotype 1, SVR was achieved in 16 patients (84%) in CC subgroup versus 30 patients (47.6%) in non-CC subgroups, P = 0.007. Conclusions. The most common genotype of IL28B in Latvia is CT/TC, with an incidence of 53%. Patients with CC genotype achieved SVR more often than CT or TT subgroups. IL28B gene polymorphism therefore is a strong predictor of treatment result.

Is interleukin-10 gene polymorphism a predictive marker in HCV infection?

The clinical outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection varies between individuals - from spontaneous viral clearance and persistence without complication, to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Also patterns of response to interferon-based anti-HCV therapy are different from person to person. This diversity may be affected by host genetic factors, including alterations in genes encoding cytokines. Interleukin-10, as an anti-inflammatory cytokine and immune response modulator, may influence on HCV infection susceptibility as well as spontaneous and treatment-induced HCV eradication. Moreover, it is stated that IL-10 has antifibrotic properties and play a role in progression of liver disease. This review summarized studies on interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms (mainly promoter SNPs at positions -1082(G/A), -819(C/T) and -592(C/A)), which may determine IL-10 production, regarding susceptibility to HCV infection, course of HCV-related liver disease (fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, ALT abnormalities), spontaneous viral elimination as well as hepatitis C treatment outcomes. Analysis of hereby summarized studies shows that it is difficult to unambiguously determine the importance of IL-10 polymorphism as a predictor of clinical outcome of hepatitis C and response to anti-HCV therapy before its beginning. Thus, future larger studies need to address these issues. Continuation of studies on interleukin-10 polymorphisms as well as identification of other candidate predictive markers in HCV infection has important practical implications and there is a chance that may contribute to reduce the scale of hepatitis C problem.