Association of Interleukin-17 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus infection and clearance in Iranian population

Association of polymorphism of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-6 with Toxoplasma gondii infection susceptibility in HIV/AIDS patients in Shiraz, southern Iran

INTRODUCTION

Toxoplasma gondii infection is considered as one of the most important opportunistic infections and cause of death in HIV patients.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 334 HIV positive patients were included. The molecular test was performed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction method. Allelic frequency, haplotype analyses, and linkage disequilibrium were calculated. The odds ratio was calculated. The linear regression model was used to analysis of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, and IL-6 single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes in HIV patients with and without toxoplasmosis.

RESULTS

In total, 95 tested'patients (28.4%) were positive for toxoplasmosis. The risk of toxoplasma infection in the current study did not correlate with IL-17 and IL-6 polymorphism and the risk of contracting toxoplasma was also not significantly correlated in this study. There was no association between the frequency of alleles and the risk of toxoplasma infection in IL-17 haplotype analysis.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study revealed that there were significant differences in the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-17A, but not IL-17F, between the case and control groups in various genetic models. However, these polymorphisms did not show a significant relationship with toxoplasma infection in HIV-positive patients. This study represents the first investigation in Iran to explore the role of IL-6 and IL-17 polymorphisms in toxoplasma infection among HIV-positive patients.

Relationship between interleukin 17 polymorphism in rs 2275913 and rs 763780 and interleukin 6 in rs 1800795 gene region with sensitivity to antiretroviral drugs in patients with human immunodeficiency virus

Drug complication is still considered as one of the most important causes of death and drug in-compliance around the world. In this cross sectional study, 372 people living with HIV (PLHIV) above 16 years were enrolled. The drug complication was extracted based on the information of the patient's file. The molecular test was performed by the Restriction Fragment length polymorphism-Polymerase Chain Reaction method. Allelic frequency, haplotype analyses, linkage disequilibrium and odds ratio (OR) were calculated. The linear regression model was used to analyze the association of IL'SNPs with drug complication after adjustment for age and sex. Drug complications were observed in 150(40.3%) participants. The most common drug complications were hematological 94(62.7%) ones. The SNPs- rs 2275913 and rs763780- of IL-17were in complete linkage (D́ = 1 and r = 1). A-A haplotype of IL-17 in SNPs- rs 2275913 and rs763780 can increase the risk of drug complication up to 1.628 times more than other haplotypes and G-G and G-A haplotypes have a protective role among them 0.268 and 0.628 times, respectively. Our result for the first time demonstrated the role of IL-17 polymorphism in induced antiretroviral drug complication incidence. Probably A-A haplotype could increase the immune response to anti-retroviral drugs, and G-G and A-G haplotypes can decrease it.

Interleukin-16 genetic polymorphisms in Guangxi Chinese with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Our previous study has reported that interleukin-16 (IL-16) genetic polymorphisms are significantly related to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatitis B virus-related (HBV-related) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As CHB, liver cirrhosis (LC), and HCC are development processes, this study aimed to determine genetic correlation of IL-16 polymorphisms with HBV-related LC in a Chinese population.

METHODS

IL-16 gene rs11556218, rs4072111, and rs4778889 polymorphism in 129 patients with HBV-related LC and 168 healthy individuals were genotyped via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). PCR-RFLP results were verified by DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

The allelic and genotypic distributions of IL-16 rs11556218, rs4072111, and rs4778889 polymorphisms in HBV-related LC patients showed no significant difference from those in healthy controls. Furthermore, no relationship was observed between the haplotype distribution and susceptibility to HBV-related LC.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provided the first evidence that the IL-16 genetic polymorphisms may not be associated with HBV-related LC risk.

Exploring the association between Th17 pathway gene polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis

Th17 cells play a key role in immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), and this study aimed to explore the association of Th17 pathway gene polymorphisms with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility in a Chinese population. A total of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms in Th17 pathway genes (IL-17A gene rs2275913, rs3748067, rs8193036, rs3819024, IL-17F gene rs7741835, rs763780, IL-21 gene rs907715, rs2055979, IL-23R gene rs11805303, and rs7518660) were genotyped in 456 PTB patients and 466 controls using SNPscan technique. The IL-23R rs11805303 CC genotype, C allele frequencies were significantly lower in PTB patients than in controls, and the rs11805303 variant was significantly associated with the reduced risk of PTB in a recessive model. There were no significant associations between IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-21 gene variations and PTB risk. In IL-17A gene, rs2275913, rs3748067, and rs3819024 variants were associated with drug resistance in PTB patients. In IL-17F gene, rs7741835 variant affected drug resistance, and rs763780 variant was associated with hypoproteinemia in PTB patients. In addition, the lower frequencies of the TT genotype, T allele of rs2055979 were found in PTB patients with drug-induced liver injury. Haplotype analysis showed that IL-23R CG haplotype frequency was significantly lower in PTB patients than in controls, while the TG haplotype frequency was higher. In conclusion, IL-23R rs11805303 polymorphism may contribute to the genetic underpinnings of PTB in the Chinese population, and the IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-21 genetic variations are associated with several clinical manifestations of PTB patients.

Polymorphisms in IL-17A Gene and Susceptibility of Colorectal Cancer in Bangladeshi Population: A Case-Control Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) genetic polymorphisms are associated with multiple cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, no previous study was performed in the Bangladeshi population to evaluate the association. Our study aimed to find the association between two IL-17A variants (rs10484879 C/A and rs3748067 G/A) and susceptibility of CRC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This retrospective case-control study comprised 292 CRC patients and 288 age, sex, and BMI matched healthy volunteers. Genotyping of both variants was done by the tetra-primer ARMS-PCR method, and the results were analyzed by the SPSS software package (version-25.0).

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis indicated that in case of IL-17A rs10484879 polymorphism, AC and AA genotype carriers showed 2.44- and 3.27-times significantly increased risk for CRC development (OR = 2.44, P = .0008 and OR = 3.27, P = .0133, individually). A significant association was also observed for AC + AA genotype (OR = 2.58, P = .0001). Again, over-dominant and allelic model revealed statistically significant link to CRC risk (OR = 2.13, P = .0035 and OR = 2.22, P = .001). For rs3748067 polymorphism, AG and AA genotype carriers showed 2.30- and 2.45-times enhanced risk for CRC (OR = 2.30, P = .005 and OR = 2.45, P = .031). A statistically significant association was also observed for AG + AA genotype (OR = 2.35, P = .001), over-dominant model (OR = 2.05, P = .014), and allelic model (OR = 2.11, P = .0004).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights that IL-17A rs10484879 and rs3748067 polymorphisms may be associated with CRC development. However, further functional research with larger samples may reveal more statistically significant outcomes.

Association of IL-32 rs28372698 polymorphism with active chronic HBV infection

Interleukin-32 (IL-32), a multiple proinflammatory cytokine, plays a vital role in immune-related diseases and infectious diseases. The promoter region of IL-32, which showed functional polymorphism, could regulate IL-32 expression. Although IL-32 rs28372698 polymorphism has been related to a lot of inflammatory diseases, the association of IL-32 rs28372698 polymorphism with a hepatic flare of chronic HBV infection has not been reported. In the present study, IL-32 rs28372698 polymorphism was genotyped in 104 chronic HBV carriers and 151 active chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. The frequency of IL-32 T/T genotype in patients with active CHB was significantly higher than that in chronic HBV carriers. Furthermore, the frequency of the T allele at IL-32 rs28372698 in active CHB patients was also higher than that in chronic HBV carriers. The serum level of IL-32 in active CHB patients was higher than that in chronic HBV carriers. Our results imply that IL-32 T/T polymorphism might be associated with a hepatic flare of chronic HBV infection.

Correlation between interleukin gene polymorphisms and current prevalence and mortality rates due to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) in 23 countries

Background

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection may rely on a potential genetic background for the variations in the inflammatory response. We aimed to investigate the possible correlation between polymorphisms in the IL‐6 gene at rs1800796/rs1800795, in IL‐6R at rs2228145, in IL‐10 at rs1800896 and rs1800871, in IL‐17 at rs2275913 and rs763780 loci, and COVID‐19 prevalence and mortality rates among populations of 23 countries.

Methods

We searched the literature for polymorphisms in China, Japan, India, Spain, Mexico, Sweden, Turkey, Brazil, Russia, Poland, Italy, South Africa, Netherlands, Greece, Germany, UK, Iran, Finland, Czechia, Tunisia, Norway, Egypt, Croatia. We recorded the prevalence and mortality rates (per million) caused by the Coronavirus infection recorded on 7th September 2020 and 6th December 2020.

Results

There was a significant positive correlation between the frequency of AG genotype of rs1800896 and prevalence recorded on 6th December 2020 (r: 0.53, r²: 0.28, p < .05). There was a significant negative correlation between the mortality rates recorded on 7th September, and the AG genotype of rs2275913 (r: −0.51, r²: 0.26, p < .05). There was a significant positive correlation between the prevalence recorded on 6th December, and TT genotype at rs763780 (r: 0.65, r²:0.42, p < .05) while a negative correlation between prevalence and TC genotype at rs763780 (r: −0.66, r²: 0.43, p < .05). Also, a significant negative correlation was found between mortality rates recorded on 6th December 2020 and CC genotype at rs763780 (r: −0.56, r²: 0.31, p < .05).

Conclusion

The variations in prevalence of COVID‐19 and its mortality rates among countries may be explained by the polymorphisms at rs1800896 in IL‐10, rs2275913 in IL‐17A, and rs763780 loci in the IL‐17F gene.

The variations in prevalence of COVID‐19 and its mortality rates among 23 countries may be explained by the polymorphisms at rs1800896 in IL‐10, rs2275913 in IL‐17A, and rs763780 loci in the IL‐17F gene.

AG genotype frequency of rs1800896 was positively correlated with prevalence recorded on 6th December 2020.

The mortality rates recorded on 7th September was negatively correlated with AG genotype frequency of rs2275913.

The prevalence recorded on 6th December was positively correlated with frequency of TT and negatively with TC genotype at rs763780.

The mortality rates recorded on 6th December 2020 was negatively correlated with CC genotype frequency at rs763780.

Association of cytokines with hepatitis B virus and its antigen

To investigate the characteristics of cytokines in patients with different HBV infection status and their correlation with HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg levels. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with chronic HBV infection in immune tolerance phase (IT), HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and acute hepatitis B (AHB) groups, and levels of cytokines were detected by Luminex technique, and analyzed by FLEXMAP 3D analyzer. The correlation between cytokines and HBV DNA load, HBsAg, HBeAg, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in patients with chronic HBV infection was analyzed. In total 312 subjects (184 males and 128 females) were enrolled in the study. There were significant differences among IT, CHB, and AHB groups in Flt-3L value (P = .003; H = 12.312), IFN-γ (P = .001; H = 11.723), IL-10 (P = .001; H = 18.736), IL-17A ((P = .001; H = 12.735), and TGF-β1 (P = .001; Z = 48.571). IFN-α2 levels in CHB group were significantly higher than those in IT and AHB groups (15.24 vs 35.78 pg/mL, P = .000; Z = 3.727; 13.88 vs 35.78 pg/mL, P = .024; Z = -2.258. In CHB group, the levels of HBsAg and ALT were positively correlated with the levels of IL-10 (r = .173; P = .006; r = 0.176; P = .006, respectively), while HBeAg level was positively correlated with the IFN-α2 level (r = .153; P = .016). In AHB group, the HBsAg level was positively correlated with Flt-3L, IFN-α2, IL-10, and IL-6 (r = .402; P = .023; r = .436; P = .016; r = .524, P = .002; r = .405; P = .022, respectively). HBeAg level was positively correlated with IFN-γ and IL-17A levels (r = .400; P = .023; r = .373; P = .036, respectively), and ALT level was positively correlated with IL-6 levels (r = .367; P = .039). In either AHB or CHB group, HBV DNA load was only related to TGF-β level (r = .493; P = .004; r = -.218, P = 0.009 respectively). The correlation between Flt-3L and HBsAg (F = 7.422; P = .007); IL-17, IL-6, and HBeAg (F = 5.757; P = .017; F = 6.156; P = .014) were statistically significant. There was significant correlation between TGF-β2 and HBV DNA (F = 11.795; P = .001), and between ALT and HBsAg, HBV DNA (F = 26.089; P = .000; F = 4.724; P = .031). HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA were correlated with cytokines and ALT in patients with HBV infection. The level of IFN-α2 was significantly higher in patients with CHB. HBV DNA load was only correlated with the level of TGF-β in acute or CHB.

Unraveling the susceptibility of paracoccidioidomycosis: Insights towards the pathogen-immune interplay and immunogenetics

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a life-threatening systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides spp. This disease comprises three clinical forms: symptomatic acute and chronic forms (PCM disease) and PCM infection, a latent form without clinical symptoms. PCM disease differs markedly according to severity, clinical manifestations, and host immune response. Fungal virulence factors and adhesion molecules are determinants for entry, latency, immune escape and invasion, and dissemination in the host. Neutrophils and macrophages play a paramount role in first-line defense against the fungus through the recognition of antigens by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), activating their microbicidal machinery. Furthermore, the clinical outcome of the PCM is strongly associated with the variability of cytokines and immunoglobulins produced by T and B cells. While the mechanisms that mediate susceptibility or resistance to infection are dictated by the immune system, some genetic factors may alter gene expression and its final products and, hence, modulate how the organism responds to infection and injury. This review outlines the main findings relative to this topic, addressing the complexity of the immune response triggered by Paracoccidioides spp. infection from preclinical investigations to studies in humans. Here, we focus on mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis, the patterns of innate and adaptive immunity, and the genetic and molecular basis related to immune response and susceptibility to the development of the PCM and its clinical forms. Immunogenetic features such as HLA system, cytokines/cytokines receptors genes and other immune-related genes, and miRNAs are likewise discussed. Finally, we point out the occurrence of PCM in patients with primary immunodeficiencies and call attention to the research gaps and challenges faced by the PCM field.