Cytokine polymorphisms and genotypic susceptibility of HCV infection in ribavirin response to peg interferon

Immune responses are largely regulated by cytokines. Genetic polymorphisms of the regulatory coding regions are recognized to impact the expression of cytokines. The abnormal cytokine levels in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection seems to be involved in disease progression, viral survival, and therapeutic response. The current study assesses the polymorphisms associated with IL-6, IL-10, IL28B, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, and TNF-alpha on the genotypic susceptibility to HCV infection and Ribavirin response to Peg interferon. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess the gene polymorphisms associated with IL-6 A/G (rs2069837), IL-10-1082 G/A (rs1800896)], IL28B C/T (rs12979860), IFN-gamma +874 A/T (rs2430561), TGF-beta 1-509 C/T (rs1800469) and TNF-alpha-308 G/A promoter (rs1800629) from stored samples of 200 healthy individuals and 300 HCV infected patients. There was a significant association of AG and AA genotypes of IL28B, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta 1, and TNF-alpha over HCV susceptibility and treatment outcome. However, no association between IL-6 and IL-10 gene polymorphism to HCV susceptibility response to the treatment. The observations indicate IL28B CT, TGF-beta 1 CT, TT and TNF- AG with AA genotypes influence the cytokine expression, which is related to susceptibility and resistance to HCV infection and combined antiviral therapy.