Association of functional polymorphism of ApoB promoter with hepatitis C virus infection

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) binds to apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) before entering into hepatocytes. ApoB promoter polymorphisms influence the levels of ApoB and LDL in blood. We investigated the correlations between ApoB promoter polymorphism and HCV infection.MethodsApoB promoter polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 243 HCV-infected patients and 346 healthy individuals. Serum lipids concentrations were measured in all subjects.ResultsApoB polymorphisms on − 516 position in patients were statistically different from healthy individuals (p < 0.0001). CC genotype was higher in patients (58.7%) than in healthy individuals (43.1%) (p < 0.0001). TT genotype was lower in patients (6.2%) than in healthy group (16.1%) (p < 0.0001). C allele frequency was higher (76.3%) in patients than in healthy individuals (63.4%) (p < 0.0001). T allele was lower in patients (23.7%) than in controls (36.6%) (p < 0.0001). CC genotype was higher in HCV RNA positive patients (63.5%) than in negative ones (45.9%) (p < 0.0001). TT genotype was significantly higher in HCV RNA negative patients (19.2%) than in positive individuals (2.6%) (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsCC genotype of ApoB promoter at − 516 position may increase susceptibility of HCV infection and TT genotype may be associated with viral clearance.