Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
A Restriction Enzyme Based Cloning Method to Assess the In vitro Replication Capacity of HIV-1 Subtype C Gag-MJ4 Chimeric Viruses
Published on: August 31, 2014
Interferon lambda 4 (IFNL4) gene polymorphism is associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV in HIV-1 positive
Camila Fernanda da Silveira Alves1, Camila Schultz Grott1, Vagner Ricardo Lunge1
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular Aplicada à Saúde, Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS, Brazil.
Insights
A specific gene variant, IFNL4 TT/TT, significantly increases the likelihood of spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) co-infection. This finding offers a better predictor for HCV clearance in this population.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection is common in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) patients, increasing liver disease risk.
- IFNL3 gene variants influence HCV clearance, but a novel IFNL4 polymorphism (rs368234815) shows promise as a superior predictor.
- Understanding genetic predictors of HCV clearance is crucial for managing co-infected individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of IFNL4 ΔG > TT variants in Brazilian HIV-1 patients.
- To assess the association between IFNL4 ΔG > TT genotypes and spontaneous HCV clearance.
- To compare IFNL4 ΔG > TT with IFNL4 rs12979860 for predicting spontaneous HCV clearance.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of IFNL4 ΔG > TT variants using polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion.
- Analysis of 138 HIV-1 positive patients with confirmed HCV infection.
- Statistical evaluation of genotype distribution and its association with spontaneous HCV clearance.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous HCV clearance was observed in 24.6% of the studied patients.
- A significant difference in IFNL4 genotype distribution was found between spontaneous clearance and chronic HCV groups (p=0.002).
- Patients with the IFNL4 TT/TT genotype had a 3.6 times higher probability of spontaneous HCV clearance compared to those with the IFNL4 ΔG allele (p=0.001).
Conclusions:
- The IFNL4 ΔG > TT polymorphism is a significant predictor of spontaneous HCV clearance in Brazilian HIV-1 co-infected patients.
- The IFNL4 TT/TT genotype is strongly associated with spontaneous HCV clearance.
- This polymorphism appears to be a more effective predictor than IFNL4 rs12979860 for spontaneous HCV clearance in this population.
Abstract:
Approximately one-third of the individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Co-infected patients have an increased risk for developing end-stage liver diseases. Variants upstream of the IFNL3 gene have been associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance of HCV infection. Recently, a novel polymorphism was discovered, denoted IFNL4 ΔG > TT (rs368234815), which seems to be a better predictor of spontaneous clearance than the IFNL4 rs12979860 polymorphism. We aimed to determine the prevalence of the IFNL4 ΔG > TT variants and to evaluate the association with spontaneous clearance of HCV infection in Brazilian HIV-1 patients. The IFNL4 ΔG > TT genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction digestion in 138 HIV-1 positive patients who had an anti-HCV positive result. Spontaneous clearance of HCV was observed in 34 individuals (24.6%). IFNL4 genotype distribution was significantly different between individuals who had spontaneous clearance and chronic HCV patients (p=0.002). The probability of spontaneous clearance of HCV infection for patients with the IFNL4 TT/TT genotype was 3.6 times higher than for patients carrying the IFNL4 ΔG allele (OR=3.63, 95% CI:1.51-8.89, p=0.001). The IFNL4 ΔG > TT polymorphism seems to be better than IFNL4 rs12979860 to predict spontaneous clearance of the HCV in Brazilian HIV-1 positive patients.
More Related Videos
10:00High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
06:28Immunofluorescence to Monitor the Cellular Uptake of Human Lactoferrin and its Associated Antiviral Activity Against the Hepatitis C Virus
Published on: October 1, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis