Influences of MxA gene -88 G/T and IFN-gamma +874 A/T on the natural history of hepatitis B virus infection in an endemic area.

Abstract

The influence of human genetics on the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be diminished in endemic areas because infection at a young age predisposes to chronic HBV infection. The present study aimed to address this issue through the determination of the influences of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of myxovirus resistence-1 (MxA) -88 G/T and interferon (IFN)-gamma +874 A/T on the natural history of HBV infection in endemic regions. One hundred adult patients with self-limiting HBV infection (positive for both anti-HBs and anti-HBc) and 340 adult patients with persistent HBV infection were recruited from southern China, an endemic area with an HBsAg carrier rate of 17.8%. SNPs of MxA -88 G/T and interferon (IFN)-gamma +874 A/T were typed using a protocol based on competitively differentiated polymerase chain reaction. A highly significant difference in the distribution of MxA -88 G/T was observed between those with persistent and self-limiting HBV infections. The latter displayed a lower frequency of the GG genotype (41.0% vs. 52.9%, P = 0.036) and a higher frequency of the TT genotype (16.0% vs. 2.4%, P = 0.000), compared to patients with persistent infection. These differences were not gender- or age-specific. However, a significant distribution difference of IFN-gamma +874 A/T was not observed. Between two groups of patients, respectively, the distribution frequencies of the AA genotype (65.0% vs. 72.8%, P = 0.139) and the TT genotype (2.0% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.894) were found. These results suggest that MxA gene -88 G/T and IFN-gamma +874 A/T behave differently in endemic HBV infections. Further study is necessary to clarify the influences of human genetics on endemic HBV infections.

• Authors: X M Peng, R X Lei, L Gu, H H Ma, Q F Xie, Z L Gao
• Journal: International journal of immunogenetics (Int J Immunogenet) Vol. 34 Issue 5 Pg. 341-6 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 1744-3121 [Print] England
• PMID: 17845304 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• MX1 protein, human
• Myxovirus Resistance Proteins
• Interferon-gamma
• GTP-Binding Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Asian People (genetics)
• Endemic Diseases
• Female
• GTP-Binding Proteins (genetics)
• Genotype
• Hepatitis B (epidemiology, genetics)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (genetics)
• Male
• Myxovirus Resistance Proteins