Original Article Interaction analysis of genetic polymorphisms in Il12A and IL12B with hepatitis B virus infection in an Iranian population

Objectives: This study aims to explore how IL12A and IL12B genotypes affect the development of chronic hepatitis B. Methods: A total of 360 patients, 390 healthy controls, and 212 healthy individuals who had recovered from HBV infection were included in the study. Polymorphisms at positions -1148T/C (rs2243123) and 277G/A (rs568408) in the Interleukin 12A (IL-12A) gene, as well as rs6887695G/C in the Interleukin 12B (IL-12B) gene, were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The frequencies of rs568408 genotypes in HBV patients were GG (68.5%), AG (28.2%), and AA (1.9%); in healthy controls they were GG (69%), AG (24.6%), and AA (3.7%); while in the healed group they were GG (75.1%), AG (25.1%), and AA (2.6%), with a p-value of 0.405. The frequencies of -1148TT, TC, and CC genotypes in the chronic HBV group were 72.3%, 24.9%, and 3.1%; in the healthy group they were 64.2%, 29.2%, and 5.9%; and in the cleared group they were 66%, 29.1%, and 6.8%, with a p-value of 0. 24. The frequencies of rs6887695 genotypes in HBV patients, healthy controls, and the cleared group for GG were 54.3%, 38.1%, and 8.9%, respectively; for GC they were 38.2%, 44.8%, and 43.5%, respectively; and for CC they were 8.4%, 8.6%, and 7.9%, respectively (P=0.314). Conclusions: This study is the first to investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms (rs2243123, rs2243123, and rs6887695) of IL12A and IL12B genes in the development of chronic hepatitis B in the Iranian population.