Single-nucleotide Polymorphisms of IL-10 and IL-28B As Predictors of the Response of IFN Therapy in HCV Genotype 4-infected Children

Background And Aims: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-10 gene (-1082 [rs1800896], -819 [rs3021097], and -592 [rs1800872]) and the IL-28B gene (rs12979860) in adults were shown to be associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance. The present study aimed to investigate the possible association of SNPs of IL-10 and IL-28B in predicting the treatment response of HCV genotype 4 in pediatric patients.

Patients And Methods: A restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques were used to genotype 34 pediatric patients with HCV genotype 4 for IL-10 and IL-28B SNPs, respectively. Patients received pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin for 48 weeks subdivided according to their response to treatment into responders and nonresponders; also, 20 healthy individuals served as controls.

Results: A significant difference (P < 0.005) was observed in SNP of IL-28B rs12979860 frequencies between responders and nonresponders. In responders, CC genotype had greater frequency than CT and TT genotypes (60%, 30%, 10%), respectively, with C allele in its homozygous (CC) genotype more likely to respond to treatment than in its homozygous (TT) genotypes. SNPs of IL-10 at -819 (rs3021097) showed significant differences in their genotype frequencies between responders and nonresponders to therapy, and TT genotype had greater frequency in responders than CT and CC (55%, 20%, 25%), respectively. Genotypes with T allele (CT/TT) showed higher rates of response than those with no T allele (CC).

Conclusions: SNPs of the IL-28B gene at (rs12979860) CC genotype as well as the IL-10 gene SNPs at -819 (rs3021097)TT genotype can be used for predicting response to treatment before patients are prescribed the expensive pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin therapy.