Mutation analysis of DC-SIGN promoter in chronic hepatitis B patients

Li Chen1, Congzhi Li, Xiujuan Meng

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.

Insights

Specific mutations in the DC-SIGN promoter region were identified in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. The -336C mutation may increase CHB risk, while -139T may offer protection against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunogenetics
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) plays a role in immune responses.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can lead to chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
  • Genetic variations in immune-related genes may influence susceptibility to HBV infection and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate mutations in the DC-SIGN promoter region in CHB patients and healthy individuals with prior HBV exposure.
  • To explore the association between DC-SIGN promoter mutations and HBV infection status.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of DC-SIGN promoter sequences from 47 CHB patients and 20 healthy HBV-exposed individuals.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), single-stranded conformational polymorphism, heteroduplex analysis, cloning, and sequencing were employed.
  • Sequences were aligned with the published DC-SIGN promoter sequence for mutation identification.

Main Results:

  • Characteristic mutations in the DC-SIGN promoter region were observed in HBV-infected individuals.
  • Four hot spot mutations (-139, -142, -222, -336) were identified in CHB patients, compared to one (-139) in healthy controls.
  • The -336C mutation was present in 23.40% of CHB patients but absent in healthy controls.
  • The -139T allele was significantly more frequent in healthy controls (100%) than in CHB patients (34.04%).

Conclusions:

  • The -336C mutation in the DC-SIGN promoter may represent a genetic risk factor for developing CHB.
  • -139T allele in the DC-SIGN promoter might be associated with protection against HBV infection.
Abstract