Association of interferon-gamma inducible protein 10 polymorphism with treatment response to pegylated interferon in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B

Interleukin-28B Polymorphisms Predict the Efficacy of Peginterferon Alpha in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Polyethylene glycol interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-α) is the most frequently used pharmacotherapeutic approach in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Numerous studies have reported that interleukin-28B (IL-28B) genetic polymorphisms are related to the therapeutic efficacy of PEG-IFN-α, but the results are inconsistent. The present meta-analysis aimed to analyze the association between IL-28B genetic polymorphisms and the prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with PEG-IFN-α to inform clinical practice.

Methods: PubMed, EBSCO, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant literature published before February 30, 2021. We calculated the crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the cited articles. A total of 2510 patients with CHB treated with PEG-IFN-α in 13 clinical cohort studies were analyzed.

Results: The overall analysis demonstrated a potential association between IL-28B genetic polymorphisms and response to PEG-IFN-α; however, the association was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed that among patients with HBeAg-negative CHB, the rs12979860 CC genotype and rs8099917 TT genotype were associated with more significant treatment response to PEG-IFN-α (CC vs. non-CC: OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.00–7.76, I² = 83%; TT vs. non-TT: OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.35–3.48, I² = 0%). Among Asian patients with CHB, the rs12979860 CC genotype was associated with a more significant treatment response to PEG-IFN (CC vs. non-CC: OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.18–2.99, I² = 0%).

Conclusion: This meta-analysis revealed that the IL-28B rs12979860 CC genotype and rs8099917 TT genotype indicated a better treatment response than non-CC and non-TT genotypes for PEG-IFN-α in patients with CHB.

Genetic polymorphisms of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 gene associated with hepatitis B virus infection in a Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) has been recently shown to be associated with inflammatory diseases. However, the association between the genetic variation of this gene and the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unclear, especially in children. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CXCL10 polymorphisms and the risk of chronic HBV infection in a Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A two-stage case-control study of 1048 adults and 627 children was performed. A total of 5 tagging SNPs in CXCL10 were genotyped. Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay was used to assess the effect of the rs4508917 polymorphism on transcriptional activity of CXCL10.

RESULTS

CXCL10 rs4508917 and rs4256246 polymorphisms were significantly associated with an increased risk of chronic HBV infection in Chinese Han adults (p = 0.036 and p = 0.033), of which rs4508917 AA genotype could increase the serum CXCL10 level (p = 0.014). In addition, the rs4508917 AA genotype was identified to facilitate HBV persistent infection (p = 0.017) and breakthrough infection (p = 0.013) in children. Subsequent functional analysis indicated that rs4508917 A allele could promote the transcriptional activity of CXCL10. Additionally, we observed that the rs4508917 A allele carriers (AA and AG genotypes) had a limited HBV viral load suppression in patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs).

CONCLUSION

The A allele of the CXCL10 rs4508917 may be a risk factor of the persistent HBV infection both in adults and children, which may influence the response to NAs treatment.

Changes of cytokine levels and T cell surface molecules in patients with chronic hepatitis B and the association with functional cure

This study aimed to examine changes in levels of cytokine and T cell surface molecules in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving sequential interferon therapy following 1-year nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) treatment. Cytokine levels were measured in 30 patients, and T cell surface molecule expression was measured in 48 patients receiving sequential interferon therapy and 24 patients only receiving NA mono-therapy. An HBsAg titer of <0.05 IU/ml was defined as a "functional cure." In the cured group (HBsAg < 0.05 IU/ml), a decreasing probability was observed in IFN-γ (after Week 0), and IL-22 and IP-10 (after Week 12). In the non-cured group (HBsAg ≥ 0.05 IU/ml), a probability of slightly decreasing was observed for IFN-γ (after Week 12), and a probability of increasing IP-10 concentration (after Week 0) was observed. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses showed significant differences in the levels of IL-10, IL-23, CCL-3, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-12P70 between the two groups. In GEE analysis, there were significant differences in expressions of CD45RO⁺  between the cured group and the non-cured group. The frequencies of T cells expressing Tim-3, CD62L, and CD152 were significantly lower in the sequential interferon therapy group than in the NA mono-therapy group. Changes in cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IP-10, IL-10, IL-23, CCL-3, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-12P70) and T cell surface molecules (CD45RO⁺ ) may predict HBsAg seroconversion in CHB patients receiving sequential interferon therapy. The period from Weeks 12 to 24 during sequential interferon therapy may be a critical time of immune status change.

The impact of IFNL3 genotype on interferon treatment outcome in patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Polymorphisms near the interferon lambda 3 (IFNL3, also known as IL28B) have been proposed to be associated with interferon (IFN)-induced hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance, but the impact of IFNL3 variations on the result of IFN-based therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is still poor understood.

METHODS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the IFNL3 polymorphisms and the effectiveness of IFN therapy in patients infected with CHB by means of meta-analysis. PubMed and Embase were utilized to identify relevant studies. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were analysed together to assess the strength of the association. Subgroup analysis was mainly performed according to HBeAg.

RESULTS

Twelve studies of 1645 CHB patients met the inclusion criteria and were selected in our meta-analysis. One polymorphism, rs12979860, near to the IFNL3 gene had significant association with the response of CHB patients to IFN-based therapy (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.61-3.42 in allelic model). Another polymorphism, rs8099917, had a similar result (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.40 in dominant model; and OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.21-2.90 in allelic model). When stratified by HBeAg, the antiviral outcome was markedly influenced by both two SNPs in HBeAg positive group (for rs12979860, OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.31-2.76 and OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.26-3.41 in dominant and allelic models respectively; for rs8099917, OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.04-2.67 in dominant model and OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.10-2.85 in allelic model).

CONCLUSION

We concluded that two polymorphisms (rs12979860 and rs8099917) of IFNL3 may play a crucial role in the IFN-based treatment of CHB, especially in HBeAg positive group.

Host Genetic Determinants of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a major health problem worldwide. Recently, a great number of genetic studies based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genome-wide association studies have been performed to search for host determinants of the development of chronic HBV infection, clinical outcomes, therapeutic efficacy, and responses to hepatitis B vaccines, with a focus on human leukocyte antigens (HLA), cytokine genes, and toll-like receptors. In addition to SNPs, gene insertions/deletions and copy number variants are associated with infection. However, conflicting results have been obtained. In the present review, we summarize the current state of research on host genetic factors and chronic HBV infection, its clinical type, therapies, and hepatitis B vaccine responses and classify published results according to their reliability. The potential roles of host genetic determinants of chronic HBV infection identified in these studies and their clinical significance are discussed. In particular, HLAs were relevant for HBV infection and pathogenesis. Finally, we highlight the need for additional studies with large sample sizes, well-matched study designs, appropriate statistical methods, and validation in multiple populations to improve the treatment of HBV infection.