Association of IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis in a Chinese population: A case-control study

SummaryBackgroundInterleukin (IL)-17 has been shown to play an important role in tissue inflammation and in the pathogenesis of immune-related liver damage. Genetic variations in IL-17 gene may be associated with the development of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, literature is scanty regarding their association.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study including 433 subjects (171 healthy controls, 130 patients with chronic hepatitis B [CHB]; and 132 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis [HBV-LC] to assess the association between IL-17A rs4711998, IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms and risk of CHB and HBV-LC. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing.ResultsOur results revealed a statistically significant association between IL-17A rs4711998 G allele and increased risk of HBV-LC risk (OR = 1.541, 95% CI 1.057–2.246, P = 0.025). Subjects carrying the IL-17A rs4711998 AG genotype were 1.75 times more likely to develop HBV-LC (OR = 1.757, 95% CI 1.096–2.817, P = 0.026). Stratification analysis indicated that IL-17A rs4711998 G allele and AG genotype enhanced the risk of HBV-LC development among men and older age (≥50 years) subject groups. In addition, we found that GCT haplotype also might be a risk factor for HBV-LC (OR = 2.448, 95% CI 1.137–5.271, P = 0.019). Furthermore, no significant association between IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms and CHB, HBV-LC risk was observed (P > 0.05).ConclusionOur data provide the first evidence that the IL-17A rs4711998 genetic variant may contribute to HBV-LC susceptibility in a Chinese population.