Association between IL28B rs12979860 genotypes and susceptibility to HCV and/or HIV infection in
Caucasian intravenous drug users
M. Pauskar1, R. Avi1, E. Kallas1, E-L Jõgeda1, T. Karki1, A. Uusküla2, D. Des Jarlais3, I. Lutsar1, K. Huik
1Universtiy
of Tartu, Department of Microbiology, Tartu, Estonia; 2University of Tartu, Department of Public Health, Tartu, Estonia 3Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, USA
Background
The CC genotype (rs12979860) of IL28B (interferon-λ3) gene has been
associated with treatment-induced HCV elimination and the clearance of
HCV without treatment.
In-vitro studies have demonstrated antiviral effect of interferon-λ on HIV
replication.
In addition, Machmach et al (2012) suggest that common host
mechanisms such as IL28B rs12979860 are involved in the spontaneous
control of both HIV and HCV infections.
Aim
To evaluate associations between IL28B genotypes and susceptibility to
HCV and/or HIV infection.
The IL28B rs12979860 TT genotype frequency was (Figure 1):
a) similar among HCV- IDUs, HCV+ IDUs and blood donors;
b) different between HIV- IDUs, HIV+ IDUs and blood donors.
a)
Figure 1. The IL28B
rs12979860 TT
genotype frequency
distribution among: a)
HCV- IDUs, HCV+
IDUs and donors b)
HIV- IDUs, HIV+ IDUs
and donors.
Material and Methods
A total of 344 Caucasian intravenous drug users (IDUs) were recruited;
50% were HIV, 89% HCV and 77% HBV seropositive.
The control group consisting of 495 blood donors were tested negative
for all three viruses.
IL28B rs12979860 genotyping was carried out by using TaqMan Allelic
Discrimination Assay.
Results
The distribution of IL28B genotypes in blood donors and IDUs, were as
follows: CC (45.5% and 44.5%), CT (45.1% and 43.3%) and TT (9.5% and
12.2%).
P=0.030
P=0.024
b)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
100%
90%
80%
TT
nonTT
70%
60%
TT
50%
40%
nonTT
30%
20%
10%
0%
HCV- HCV+ Donors
N=38 N=306 N=495
HIV- HIV+ Donors
N=172 N=172 N=495
In univariate analysis, IDUs with TT genotype had higher odds of being HIV seropositive,
compared to IDUs not having TT genotype. After adjustment to HCV and HBV serostatus,
and the duration of intravenous drug use the association did not remain significant (Tabel 1).
Tabel 1. Associations between IL28B TT genotype and susceptibility to HIV infection
Comparison
TT vs. non-TT
Outcome: HIV positivity; OR (95% CI)
Unadjusted
Adjusted*
2.19 (1.11 – 4.33)
1.84 (0.89 – 3.80)
*Adjusted to HCV, HBV and the duration of intravenous drug use
Conclusions
TerVE
Acknowledgment: The study was supported by the Target Financing of Estonian
Ministry of Education and Research (SF0180004s12 and IUT34-24 ) and by European
Union through the European Regional Development Fund and by the Archimedes
Foundation.
IL28B rs12979860 TT genotype might be associated with enhanced
acquisition of HIV infection which could be mediated by antiviral activity of
interferon λ.
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