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HLA class II alleles and chronic hepatitis C virus infection

L O F Cangussu1, R Teixeira1, E F Campos1

  • 1Viral Hepatitis Division, Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas/UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, BrazilInternal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, BrazilImmunogenetics Division, Pediatrics Departament, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilInstituto de Ciencias Exatas, ICEX, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, BrazilLaboratório de Biomarcadores de Diagnóstico e Monitoração, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|May 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Certain human leucocyte antigen (HLA) types, specifically DRB1*11 and DQB1*03, are linked to protection against chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, these HLA types do not appear to prevent severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients with HCV.

Area of Science:

  • Immunogenetics
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects millions globally, with host genetics influencing disease progression.
  • Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes play a critical role in immune responses and have been associated with susceptibility and resistance to various infectious diseases.
  • Polymorphisms in HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 genes are investigated for their potential role in HCV infection outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 polymorphisms and the risk of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
  • To determine if these HLA polymorphisms are associated with the development of severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients with established chronic HCV infection.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted with 99 white patients diagnosed with chronic HCV infection from southeast Brazil.
  • Severe fibrosis/cirrhosis (METAVIR scores F3-F4) was identified in 49 patients.
  • HLA-DRB1 specificities and DRB1*11 and DQB1*03 alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) and compared with 103 healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • The study confirmed previous findings associating HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DQB1*03 alleles with protection against chronic HCV infection.
  • No significant association was found between these HLA alleles and protection from developing severe liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in chronically infected patients.
  • The results suggest that other alleles within the DRB1*11 and DQB1*03 groups, beyond DRB1*1101 and DQB1*0301, may also contribute to HCV protection.

Conclusions:

  • Specific HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles are associated with resistance to chronic HCV infection but not with the prevention of severe liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.
  • The protective effect against chronic HCV infection might be mediated by shared polymorphic residues within DRB1*11 and/or DQB1*03 alleles, influencing CD4(+) T cell epitope presentation.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which these HLA polymorphisms impact HCV immune responses and disease progression.

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