Cytokines such as TNF-alpha and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) are important for the elimination of infected hepatocytes during acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Two G versus A transitions in the TNF-alpha promoter region at positions -308 and -238 possibly influence TNF-alpha expression. We investigated these TNF-alpha polymorphisms in 71 patients with chronic HBV infection, in 32 subjects that had spontaneously recovered from acute HBV infection, and in 99 healthy controls. The -238 A promoter variant was present in 18 (25%) of 71 patients with chronic HBV infection compared with two (6%) of 32 subjects with acute infection (P<0.04), and seven (7%) of 99 controls (P<0.003). By contrast, the prevalence of the variant at position -308 was similar in all investigated groups. The observed differences could not be explained by linkage disequilibrium to HLA-B or -DRB1* alleles. These findings suggest an association between the TNF-alpha promoter polymorphism at position -238 and the development of chronic HBV infection. This promoter variant appears to be linked to defective viral clearance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.