Association of TNFα Gene Polymorphisms with Production of Protein and Susceptibility to Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in the South East Iranian Population

Background: The host genetic background regulates the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between TNFα gene polymorphism in the promoter region and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus infection.MethodsFour polymorphisms of TNFα gene including 238 A/G, 308 A/G, 857 C/T, and 863 A/C were analyzed by PCRRFLP in 100 chronic HBV infected patients (HBV group), 40 spontaneously recovered HBV subjects (SR group), and 100 healthy controls (C group). Also, serum levels of protein were monitored.ResultsThe study showed that the existence of 308 G, 857 C, and 863 A alleles significantly increased susceptibility to chronic HBV infection. In addition, GGCA haplotype had a higher frequency in HBV patients than C and SR groups that might be related to the natural history of the infection. Chronic HBV patients with 308 GG, 857 CC, and 863 AA genotypes had lower serum levels of TNFα compared to those with other genotypes.ConclusionsThe results indicated that there was a positive association between susceptibility to chronic HBV infection and TNFα polymorphism. In addition, HBV patients carrying 308 GG, 857 CC, and 863 AA genotypes with lower serum levels of TNFα had an increased risk of infection.