Host genetic factors affecting spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B patients

PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e53008. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053008. Epub 2013 Jan 11.

Abstract

Spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients usually indicates a remission of hepatitis activity and a favorable outcome. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), rs3077 near HLA-DPA1 region and rs9277535 near HLA-DPB1 region, have been shown to be associated with HBV persistence after acute HBV infection. However, little is known about the impact of these 2 SNPs on spontaneous HBsAg clearance in CHB patients. In this case-control study, a total of 100 male HBeAg-negative chronic HBV carriers who cleared HBsAg spontaneously (case group) and 100 age-matched HBeAg-negative male patients with persistent HBsAg positivity (control group) were enrolled. We investigated the relationship between these 2 SNPs and HBsAg clearance. There was a higher frequency of rs9277535 non-GG genotype in the case group (57% vs. 42%). Patients with rs9277535 non-GG genotype had a higher chance to clear HBsAg [Odds ratio (OR): 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04∼3.21, P = 0.034]. Compared to GG haplotype of rs3077 and rs9277535, GA haplotype had a higher chance of achieving spontaneous HBsAg loss (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.14∼4.16, P = 0.030). In conclusion, rs9277535 non-GG genotype is associated with a higher likelihood of spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in CHB patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • HLA-DP alpha-Chains / genetics
  • HLA-DP alpha-Chains / immunology
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains / genetics
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains / immunology
  • Haplotypes
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / physiology
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / genetics
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / immunology*

Substances

  • HLA-DP alpha-Chains
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains
  • HLA-DPA1 antigen
  • HLA-DPB1 antigen
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Grants and funding

The work was supported by grants from the National Taiwan University; the National Science Council, and Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.