Genetic variations of NOD2 and MD2 genes in hepatitis B virus infection

Association of Nucleostemin Polymorphisms with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Chinese Han Population

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) is a common infectious disease that poses a global economic and health burden due to its high morbidity and mortality. Studies have demonstrated that host genetic factors play critical roles in the susceptibility and outcome of CHB. Aims: In this study, we aimed to assess the potential role of genetic variants of the nucleostemin (NS) gene with respect to CHB susceptibility. Materials and Methods: Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NS gene were genotyped in 446 patients with CHB and 399 healthy controls all of Chinese Han origin using the polymerase chain reaction-ligation detection reaction method. Results: The results showed that the three SNPs, rs3733039, rs1866268, and rs11177, were significantly associated with CHB. After a Bonferroni correction, the positive association of the rs3733039 SNP with CHB remained significant. Further analyses based on gender demonstrated that these SNPs are associated with CHB in both the female and male subgroups. After correction for multiple comparisons, all three SNPs in the female group were associated with CHB, whereas only the rs1866268 SNP in the male group was associated with CHB. Haplotype analysis showed that the C-C-G and T-T-T haplotypes in the block consisting of rs3733039-rs1866268-rs11177 were significantly associated with CHB. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a genetic association between SNPs in the NS gene and the risk of CHB in the Chinese Han population for the first time. Thus, variations in the NS gene might serve as potential genetic biomarkers of CHB.

Pattern Recognition Receptors: Significance of Expression in the Liver

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are a pivotal part of the immune system. They are distributed in almost every site of higher organisms, able to recognize foreign pathogens or unwanted remnants of metabolism and mount innate immune response. Moreover, PRRs create bridging signaling to initiate adaptive immunity. The liver being the largest organ of the body, exposed to myriads of foreign substances often being immunogenic, is well equipped with PRRs. They act as sentinels of the organ, both in health and disease. In viral hepatitis C at least two of them, RIG-1 and TLR3 sense HCV, induce protective interferon production and create proinflammatory status. The hepatitis B virus is apparently invisible to PRRs, which has recently been denied. Besides, they are active in the course of infection. In liver injury and hepatic fibrogenesis Toll-like receptors (TLRs), predominantly TLR4, TLR3 and TLR9 are associated with gut microflora-related products and DNA from dying hepatocytes, lead to the activation of hepatic stellate cells. The latter initiate production of fibrillar collagens, the main agents forming hepatic fibrosis. Tumor cells of primary liver cancer also express PRRs, mainly TLRs. In concert with non-resolving liver inflammation, they are considered pivotal factors leading to carcinogenesis.