Genetic Associations of Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms with Advanced Liver Fibrosis and Response to Pegylated Interferon-based Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis C

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) modulates host immune responses to infections such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including interferon signaling. This study aimed to investigate the associations of VDR polymorphisms with advanced liver fibrosis and response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-based therapy in patients with chronic HCV infection. In total, 554 Thai patients with chronic HCV infection treated with a PEG-IFN-based regimen were enrolled. Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped: the C > T (rs12979860) SNP and five VDR SNPs, comprising T > C (rs2228570), C > T (rs1544410), G > A (rs757343), C > A (rs7975232), and A > G (rs731236). In total, 334 patients (60.3%) achieved sustained virological response (SVR), and 255 patients (46%) were infected with HCV genotype 1. The bAt (CCA) haplotype, consisting of the rs1544410 C, rs7975232 C, and rs731236 A alleles, was associated with poor response (in terms of lack of an SVR) to PEG-IFN-based therapy. The rs12979860 CT/TT genotypes (OR = 3.44, 95% CI [2.12-5.58], < 0.001), bAt haplotype (OR = 2.02, 95% CI [1.04-3.91], = 0.03), pre-treatment serum HCV RNA (logIU/mL; OR = 1.73, 95% CI [1.31-2.28], < 0.001), advanced liver fibrosis (OR = 1.68, 95% CI [1.10-2.58], = 0.02), and HCV genotype 1 (OR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.07-2.37], = 0.02) independently predicted poor response. Patients with the bAt haplotype were more likely to have poor response compared to patients with other haplotypes (41.4% vs 21.9%, = 0.03). The rs2228570 TT/TC genotypes (OR = 1.63, 95% CI [1.06-2.51], = 0.03) and age ≥55 years (OR = 2.25; 95% CI [1.54-3.32], < 0.001) were independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis, assessed based on FIB-4 score >3.25. VDR polymorphisms were not associated with pre-treatment serum HCV RNA. In Thai patients with chronic HCV infection, the bAt haplotype is associated with poor response to PEG-IFN-based therapy, and the rs2228570 TT/TC genotypes are risk factors for advanced liver fibrosis.