Biology Faculty Articles

Title

An Analysis of Tumor Necrosis Factor α Gene Polymorphisms and Haplotypes with Natural Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2004

Publication Title

Genes and Immunity

Keywords

TNF, Viral hepatitis, Genetics, Infectious diseases, Genetic epidemiology

ISSN

1466-4879

Volume

5

Issue/No.

4

First Page

294

Last Page

300

Abstract

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is important in generating an immune response against a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The functions of TNF-α may be altered by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in its gene, TNF. We hypothesized that SNPs in TNF may be important in determining the outcome of an HCV infection. To test this hypothesis, we typed nine TNF SNPs in a cohort of individuals with well-defined HCV outcomes. Three of these SNPs were typed in a second cohort. Data were analyzed using logistic regression stratifying by ethnicity, since rates of HCV clearance differ in black subjects versus white subjects. The SNP -863A was associated with viral clearance in black subjects (odds ratios (OR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29–0.93). Furthermore, the common wild-type haplotype -863C/-308G was associated with viral persistence in black subjects (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.24–2.95). These findings were independent of linkage with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Further study of this polymorphism and haplotype is needed to understand these associations and the role of TNF-α in determining outcomes of HCV infection.

Comments

©2004 Nature Publishing Group

Additional Comments

NIH grant #s: DA00441, DA12568, DA04334, DA13324, DK56415; National Cancer Institute contract #s: N01-CP-33002, NO1-CO-12400

ORCID ID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015

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