TRPM5 rs886277 Polymorphism Predicts Hepatic Fibrosis Progression in Non-Cirrhotic HCV-Infected Patients

BACKGROUND

TRPM5 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5) rs886277 polymorphism has been related to liver cirrhosis from different etiologies. The present study investigates the association of TRPM5 rs886277 polymorphism with liver fibrosis progression and cirrhosis development in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 208 non-cirrhotic patients with CHC, who had at least two liver stiffness measurements (LSM) with a separation of 12 months (baseline LSM (LSM1) and the last LSM (LSM2)). Two outcome variables were considered: (1) LSM2/LSM1 ratio; (2) cirrhosis progression (F4; LSM ≥ 12.5 kPa). DNA genotyping was done at the CeGen using a MassARRAY platform.

RESULTS

The follow-up time was similar irrespective of the rs886277 genotype (46.4 months in TT genotype, 46.4 months in CT genotype, and 49.2 months in CC genotype; p = 0.649). The highest LSM increases were found in patients with CC genotype compared with TT and CT genotypes (p = 0.044 and p = 0.038, respectively). The cirrhosis progression was higher in patients with CC genotype than TT genotype (p = 0.033). Thus, the rs886277 C allele was associated with higher cirrhosis progression (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.64; p = 0.014). Moreover, rs886277 CC genotype was also related to higher values of LSM2/LSM1 ratio (adjusted arithmetic mean ratio a(AMR) = 1.31; p = 0.001) and cirrhosis progression (aOR = 4.33; p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

TRPM5 rs886277 polymorphism was associated with liver fibrosis progression and cirrhosis development among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Specifically, the rs886277 C allele and CC genotype were risk factors for advancing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis compared to the rs886277 T allele and CT/TT genotype, respectively.

MTHFR rs1801133 Polymorphism Is Associated With Liver Fibrosis Progression in Chronic Hepatitis C: A Retrospective Study

Background: The MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) rs1801133 polymorphism leads to higher circulating levels of homocysteine, which is related to several liver diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism and liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected patients. Methods: We conducted a preliminary retrospective cohort study in 208 non-cirrhotic HCV-infected patients. These subjects had at least two liver stiffness measurements (LSM), which were assessed using transient elastography, and no patient had cirrhosis at baseline. We analyzed the association between MTHFR rs1801133 and outcome variables using Generalized Linear Models. Results: HCV-infected patients were 47 years old, around 54% were males, a low frequency of high alcohol intake (13.5%) or prior use of intravenous drugs (10.1%). A total of 26 patients developed cirrhosis (LSM1 ≥ 12.5) during a median follow-up of 46.6 months. The presence of the rs1801133 C allele showed an inverse association with the LSM2/LSM1 ratio (adjusted AMR = 0.90; 95%CI = 0.83-0.98; p = 0.020) and the cirrhosis progression (adjusted OR = 0.43; 95%CI = 0.19-0.95; p = 0.038). Besides, rs1801133 CT/CC genotype had an inverse association with the LSM2/LSM1 ratio (adjusted AMR = 0.80; 95%CI = 0.68-0.95; p = 0.009) and the cirrhosis progression (adjusted OR= 0.21; 95%CI = 0.06-0.74; p = 0.015). Conclusions: MTHFR rs1801133 C allele carriers presented a diminished risk of liver fibrosis progression and development of cirrhosis than rs1801133 T allele carriers. This statement supports the hypothesis that MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism appears to play a crucial role in chronic hepatitis C immunopathogenesis.

Impact of DARC rs12075 Variants on Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Retrospective Study

: The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) rs12075 polymorphism regulates leukocyte trafficking and proinflammatory chemokine homeostasis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-mediated liver fibrosis is associated with an uncontrolled inflammatory response. In this study, we evaluate the association between the DARC rs12075 polymorphism and liver stiffness progression in HCV-infected patients. We carried out a retrospective cohort study (repeated measures design) in 208 noncirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who had at least two liver stiffness measurements (LSM) with a separation of at least 12 months. We used generalized linear models to analyze the association between DARC rs12075 polymorphism and outcome variables. During a follow-up of 46.6 months, the percentage of patients with stages of fibrosis F0/F1 decreased (p < 0.001), while LSM values and the percentage of patients with cirrhosis increased (p < 0.001). This pattern of changes was maintained in each of the groups of patients analyzed according to their rs12075 genotypes (AA or AG/GG). However, the variations in liver stiffness characteristics were lower in patients with the rs12075 AG/GG genotype (AG/GG versus AA). Thereby, in the adjusted analysis, patients with the rs12075 AG/GG genotype had a lower risk of an increased value of LSM2/LSM1 arithmetic mean ratio (AMR = 0.83; p = 0.001) and of an increase in LSM ≥ 5 kPa (odds ratio (OR) = 0.28; p = 0.009). Besides, patients with rs12075 AG/GG had a lower risk of cirrhosis progression (OR = 0.24; p = 0.009). No significant associations were found for an increase in LSM ≥ 10 kPa. We found an association between the DARC rs12075 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and CHC progression. Specifically, patients with the DARC rs12075 AG/GG genotype had a lower risk of liver fibrosis progression and development of cirrhosis.

The Myeloid-Epithelial-Reproductive Tyrosine Kinase (MERTK) rs4374383 Polymorphism Predicts Progression of Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients: A Longitudinal Study

Background: The myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase (MERTK) is involved in hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and liver fibrosis. Here we evaluated the association between the MERTK rs4374383 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study (repeated measures design) in 208 patients who had liver stiffness measurement (LSM), which was assessed using transient elastography. No patient had cirrhosis at baseline (LSM ≥ 12.5 kPa). Results: At baseline, 53.8% were male, the median age was 47.1 years, 13.5% reported a high intake of alcohol, 10.1% were prior injection drug users, 85.3% were infected with HCV genotype 1, and 22.6% had previously failed antiviral therapy (pegylated-interferon-alpha/ribavirin). During a median follow-up of 46.6 months, 26 patients developed cirrhosis. The rs4374383 G carriers had a higher risk of increasing LSM (adjusted arithmetic mean ratio (aAMR) = 1.14; p = 0.006) and a higher likelihood of having an increase in LSM greater than 5 kPa (ΔLSM ≥ 5 kPa) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.37; p = 0.029), and greater than 7 kPa (ΔLSM ≥ 7 kPa) (aOR = 3.24; p = 0.032), after controlling for confounding. The SNP’s association with cirrhosis progression was close to statistical significance (aOR = 2.18; p = 0.070). Conclusions: MERTK rs4374383 A carriers had a lower risk of liver fibrosis progression than G carriers, supporting the hypothesis that this SNP seems to have a critical role in the pathogenesis of liver disease in HCV-infected patients.

The IL7RA rs6897932 polymorphism is associated with progression of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Repeated measurements design

The polymorphisms at the α-chain of the IL-7 receptor (IL7RA) have been related to T-cell homeostasis and development and may contribute to immune system deregulation. In the present study, we analyzed the association between IL7RA polymorphisms and the progression of liver fibrosis in patients infected with HCV. We carried out a retrospective study with a design consisting of repeated measurements in 187 HCV-infected patients, to study the risk prediction of liver fibrosis progression using genetic factors. We genotyped the rs6897932, rs987106 and rs3194051 IL7RA polymorphisms using the Agena Bioscience's MassARRAY. Transient elastography was used to measure liver stiffness. The used cut-offs were: <7.1 kPa (F0-F1), 7.1-9.4 kPa (F2; significant fibrosis), 9.5-12.4 kPa (F3; advanced fibrosis), and ≥12.5 kPa (F4; cirrhosis). All HCV genotypes were analyzed. The median of follow-up time was 47.9 months. Baseline liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values did not show significant statistical differences for IL7RA genotypes (p>0.05). In univariate analysis, the rs6897932 T allele had a positive relationship with an increase in LSM (arithmetic mean ratio (AMR) = 1.21 (95%CI = 1.08; 1.36); p = 0.001), progression to advanced fibrosis (F≥3) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.51 (95%CI = 1.29; 4.88); p = 0.006) and progression to cirrhosis (F4) (OR = 2.71 (95%CI = 0.94; 5.03); p = 0.069). In multivariable analysis, the rs6897932 T allele was related to a higher increase of LSM values during follow-up (adjusted AMR = 1.27 (95%CI = 1.13; 1.42); p<0.001) and higher odds of progression to advanced fibrosis [adjusted OR = 4.46 (95%CI = 1.87; 10.62); p = 0.001], and progression to cirrhosis [adjusted OR = 3.92 (95%CI = 1.30; 11.77); p = 0.015]. Regarding IL7RA rs987106 and rs3194051 polymorphisms, we did not find significant results except for the relationship between IL7RA rs987106 and the increase in LSM values [adjusted OR = 1.12 (95%CI = 1.02; 1.23); p = 0.015]. The IL7RA rs6897932 polymorphism seems to be related to increased risk of liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected patients. Thus, the rs6897932 polymorphism could be related to the physiopathology of CHC and might be used to successfully stratify the risk of CHC progression.

PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism is associated with liver fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A repeated measures study

BACKGROUND

Host genetic background has been associated with liver fibrosis progression.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association between the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 polymorphism and liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective cohort study, 187 patients with chronic HCV infection were included, who had at least two liver stiffness measurements (LSM) by transient elastography during the follow-up. Results were expressed in kilopascals (kPa). The analysis of genetic association was carried out according to additive model by using Generalized Linear Models.

RESULTS

No patients had advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis at baseline. During a median follow-up time of 47.9 months, 15 patients developed advanced fibrosis and 17 cirrhosis. In multivariate analysis adjusted by the main clinical and epidemiological covariates, the rs738409 G allele was related to higher increase of LSM values during the follow-up (adjusted arithmetic mean ratio (aAMR) = 1.16 (95%CI = 1.04; 1.29); p = .006) and higher odds of having progression to advanced fibrosis [aOR = 2.03 (95%CI = 1.01; 4.06); p = .045], and progression to cirrhosis [aOR = 3.03 (95%CI = 1.26; 7.30); p = .014].

CONCLUSIONS

PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism appears to be related to the increased progression of liver fibrosis in HCV infected patients.

CXCL9-11 polymorphisms are associated with liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a cross-sectional study

Background and aims

CXCL9-11 polymorphisms are related to various infectious diseases, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, we analyzed the association between CXCL9-11 polymorphisms and liver fibrosis in HCV-infected patients.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in 389 patients who were genotyped for CXCL9-11 polymorphisms (CXCL9 rs10336, CXCL10 rs3921, and CXCL11 rs4619915) using the Sequenom’s MassARRAY platform. The primary outcome variable was the liver stiffness measurement (LSM). We established three cut-offs of LSM: LSM ≥ 7.1 kPa (F ≥ 2—significant fibrosis), LSM ≥ 9.5 kPa (F ≥ 3—advanced fibrosis), and LSM ≥ 12.5 kPa (F4—cirrhosis).

Results

Recessive, overdominant and codominant models of inheritance showed significant values, but the overdominant model was the best fitting our data. In this case, CXCL9 rs10336 AG, CXCL10 rs3921 CG and CXCL11 rs4619915 AG were mainly associated with lower values of LSM [(adjusted GMR (aGMR) = 0.85 (p = 0.005), aGMR = 0.84 (p = 0.003), and aGMR = 0.84 (p = 0.003), respectively]. Patients with CXCL9 rs10336 AG genotype had lower odds of significant fibrosis (LSM ≥ 7.1 kPa) [adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.59 (p = 0.016)], advanced fibrosis (LSM ≥ 9.5 kPa) [aOR = 0.54 (p = 0.010)], and cirrhosis (LSM ≥ 12.5 kPa) [aOR = 0.56 (p = 0.043)]. Patients with CXCL10 rs3921 CG or CXCL11 rs4619915 AG genotypes had lower odds of significant fibrosis (LSM ≥ 7.1 kPa) [adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.56 (p = 0.008)], advanced fibrosis (LSM ≥ 9.5 kPa) [aOR = 0.55 (p = 0.013)], and cirrhosis (LSM ≥ 12.5 kPa) [aOR = 0.57 (p = 0.051)]. Additionally, CXCL9-11 polymorphisms were related to lower liver stiffness under a codominant model of inheritance, being the heterozygous genotypes also protective against hepatic fibrosis. In the recessive inheritance model, the CXCL9 rs10336 AA, CXCL10 rs3921 CC and CXCL11 rs4619915 AA were associated with higher LSM values [(adjusted GMR (aGMR) = 1.19 (p = 0.030), aGMR = 1.21 (p = 0.023), and aGMR = 1.21 (p = 0.023), respectively]. Moreover, patients with CXCL9 rs10336 AA genotype had higher odds of significant fibrosis (LSM ≥ 7.1 kPa) [adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.83 (p = 0.044)] and advanced fibrosis (LSM ≥ 9.5 kPa) [aOR = 1.85 (p = 0.045)]. Furthermore, patients with CXCL10 rs3921 CC or CXCL11 rs4619915 AA genotypes had higher odds of advanced fibrosis (LSM ≥ 9.5 kPa) [aOR = 1.89 (p = 0.038)].

Conclusions

CXCL9-11 polymorphisms were related to likelihood of having liver fibrosis in HCV-infected patients. Our data suggest that CXCL9-11 polymorphisms may play a significant role against the progression of CHC and could help prioritize antiviral therapy.