Human interleukin-10 genotypes are associated with different precore/core gene mutation patterns in children with...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Immunogenetics
• Virology

Background:

• Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects millions globally.
• Understanding host genetic factors, like interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms, is crucial for predicting disease progression and outcomes.
• Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is a key indicator of treatment response and viral clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between human interleukin-10 (IL-10) genotypes and hepatitis B virus (HBV) precore/core gene mutations in children with chronic HBV infection.
• To determine if specific IL-10 genotypes influence the rate of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion.

Main Methods:

• Studied 21 children with chronic HBV and spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion, plus 9 controls without seroconversion.
• Analyzed HBV precore/core gene sequences and IL-10 -1082 polymorphism from sera collected during tolerance and inflammatory phases.
• Compared mutation rates and IL-10 genotypes between groups and correlated findings with viral load and HBeAg seroconversion.

Main Results:

• HBV precore/core gene mutations (G1896A, C1913A, C2189A, G2304A) significantly increased in the inflammatory phase in the study group.
• The interleukin-10 (IL-10) G/G genotype was associated with a higher C2189A mutation rate compared to A allele carriers (P = .02).
• Carriers of the C2189A mutation showed greater viral load reduction and earlier spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion (P = .01 for both).

Conclusions:

• The IL-10 -1082 G/G genotype is associated with increased HBV C2189A mutations.
• This genotype correlates with a lower HBV viral load during the immune inflammatory phase.
• Individuals with the IL-10 G/G genotype experienced earlier spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion compared to A allele carriers.