Association of serum levels of C-reactive protein with CRP-717 T/C polymorphism and viremia in HCV and HBV carriers

Abstract

Introduction: The present study investigated the association of the rs2794521 polymorphism in the CRP gene in individuals with chronic hepatitis B and C, correlating it with markers of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis scores, viral load, and plasma protein levels. Methods: The study analyzed 185 blood samples obtained from patients with hepatitis B (n=74) and hepatitis C (n=111) and 300 samples from healthy donors. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels were quantified using the automated immunoturbidimetric method. Results: The TT genotype was the most frequent in all studied groups and was associated with higher plasma levels of the protein but not with the progression of liver disease. Low levels of C-reactive protein were associated with increased viremia and scores indicative of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. Conclusions:The present results demonstrated a close relationship between the ability of the virus to replicate and cause liver damage and low serum concentrations of C-reactive protein. Future research may determine if these results can be interpreted as a possible form of escape for the virus by decreasing its action as an opsonin and decreasing phagocytosis, which are functions of C-reactive protein in the immune response.

Inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases biomarkers in chronic hepatitis C virus infection: A review

“…Studies have been mixed about the association between CRP levels and CHC infection. Some studies have demonstrated decreased CRP levels in CHC infection, which was postulated to be due to decreased production of CRP . Ufearo et al found that CRP levels decreased as transferrin levels (also produced by hepatocytes) increased among HCV patients compared to controls, highlighting mechanisms other than poorly functioning hepatocytes …”

Polymorphisms in the TGFB1 and FOXP3 genes are associated with the presence of antinuclear antibodies in chronic hepatitis C

“…In chronic hepatitis C, there are changes in the expression profiles of mediators of the immune response of several interleukins (ILs), such as IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10; interferon γ (IFN-γ); growth transformation factor β (TGF-β); C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), factors linked to immunological tolerance, such as forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) ( Amoras et al., 2016 ; de Souza-Cruz et al., 2016 ; Moura et al., 2019 ; R-Viso et al., 2010 ; Sofian et al., 2012 ). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can alter the expression levels or functions of these factors, leading to a predisposition to the development or evolution of liver diseases ( Moura et al., 2017 ; Pereira et al., 2018 ).…”