Interferon-lambda 3 and 4 Polymorphisms Increase Sustained Virological Responses and Regulate Innate Immunity in Antiviral Therapy With Pegylated Interferon-Alpha

Investigating the role of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and human leukocyte antigen genetic variants in hepatitis C virus infection

The genetic diversity of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes influences the host's immune response to viral pathogens. This study aims to explore the impact of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in KIR3DL2 and HLA-A genes on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A total of 2251 individuals were included in the case-control study. SNPs including KIR3DL2 rs11672983, rs3745902, rs1654644, and HLA-A rs3869062, rs12202296 were genotyped. By controlling various confounding factors using a modified logistic regression model, as well as incorporating stratified analysis, joint effects analysis, and multidimensional bioinformatics analysis, we analyzed the relationship between SNPs and HCV infection. The logistic regression analysis showed a correlation between KIR3DL2 rs11672983 AA, KIR3DL2 rs3745902 TT, and increased HCV susceptibility (p < 0.01). Stratified analysis indicated that KIR3DL2 rs1654644 and HLA-A rs3869062 also heightened HCV susceptibility in certain subgroups. A linear trend of rising HCV infection rates was observed when combining KIR3DL2 rs11672983 AA and KIR3DL2 rs3745902 TT (ptrend = 0.007). Bioinformatics analysis suggested these SNPs' regulatory potential and their role in altering messenger RNA secondary structure, implying their functional relevance in HCV susceptibility. Our findings indicate that KIR3DL2 rs11672983 AA and KIR3DL2 rs3745902 TT are significantly associated with increased susceptibility to HCV infection.

Decidual production of interferon lambda in response to ZIKV persistence: Clinical evidence and in vitro modelling

Zika virus (ZIKV) infections during pregnancy can result in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), a range of severe neurological outcomes in fetuses that primarily occur during early gestational stages possibly due to placental damage. Although some placentas can maintain ZIKV persistence for weeks or months after the initial infection and diagnosis, the impact of this viral persistence is still unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the immunological repercussion of ZIKV persistence in term placentas. As such, term placentas from 64 pregnant women diagnosed with Zika in different gestational periods were analyzed by ZIKV RT-qPCR, examination of decidua and placental villous histopathology, and expression of inflammation-related genes and IFNL1-4. Subsequently, we explored primary cultures of term decidual Extravillous Trophoblasts (EVTs) and Term Chorionic Villi (TCV) explants, as in vitro models to access the immunological consequences of placental ZIKV infection. Placenta from CZS cases presented low IFNL1-4 expression, evidencing the critical protective role of theses cytokines in the clinical outcome. Term placentas cleared for ZIKV showed increased levels of IFNL1, 3, and 4, whether viral persistence was related with a proinflammatory profile. Conversely, upon ZIKV persistence placentas with decidual inflammation showed high IFNL1-4 levels. In vitro experiments showed that term EVTs are more permissive, and secreted higher levels of IFN-α2 and IFN-λ1 compared to TCV explants. The results suggest that, upon ZIKV persistence, the maternal-skewed decidua contributes to placental inflammatory and antiviral signature, through chronic deciduitis and IFNL upregulation. Although further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the decidual responses against ZIKV. Hence, this study presents unique insights and valuable in vitro models for evaluating the immunological landscape of placentas upon ZIKV persistence.

Immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: an overview of immune checkpoint inhibitors, drug resistance, and adverse effects

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a concerning liver cancer with rising incidence and mortality rates worldwide. The effectiveness of traditional therapies in managing advanced HCC is limited, necessitating the development of new therapeutic strategies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a promising strategy for HCC management. By preventing tumor cells from evading immune surveillance through immunological checkpoints, ICIs can restore the immune system’s ability to target and eliminate tumors. While ICIs show promise in enhancing the immune response against malignancies, challenges such as drug resistance and adverse reactions hinder their efficacy. To address these challenges, developing individualized ICI treatment strategies is critical. Combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy holds the potential for comprehensive therapeutic effects. Additionally, biomarker-based individualized ICI treatment strategies offer promise in predicting treatment response and guiding personalized patient care. Future research should explore emerging ICI treatment methods to optimize HCC immunotherapy. This review provides an overview of ICIs as a new treatment for HCC, demonstrating some success in promoting the tumor immune response. However, drug resistance and adverse reactions remain important considerations that must be addressed. As tailored treatment plans evolve, the prospect of immunotherapy for HCC is expected to grow, offering new opportunities for improved patient outcomes.

Susceptibilidad genética y aclaramiento viral de la infección por Virus de la Hepatitis C

El virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) sigue siendo una de las principales causas de hepatitis crónica en el mundo occidental. Del 15 % al 40 % de los individuos con infección aguda por VHC logran el aclaramiento viral espontáneo; sin embargo, los factores y variables asociadas a este fenómeno no están completamente descritas. El análisis de los mecanismos de patogénesis de la infección por VHC es indispensable para identificar los factores y variables implicadas en el aclaramiento espontáneo o en la persistencia de la infección. En algunos estudios se han documentado los factores del huésped asociados al aclaramiento viral espontáneo durante la infección aguda, entre ellos el polimorfismo del gen de la interleucina -28 (IL28B) que codifica para el interferón lambda 3 (IFNL3). El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre la fisiopatología de la infección por el VHC y describir la evidencia acerca del papel de los polimorfismos en el gen IL28B y su impacto en el proceso de aclaramiento viral espontáneo, así como en otros aspectos de la historia natural y el tratamiento de la infección.