Genetic Variants in JAK1 Gene and Susceptibility to Hepatitis C Viral Infection in Iraq

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) imposes a global challenge with over 180 million cases worldwide. Only few patients spontaneously had their virus neutralized, while most patients develop chronic HCV infection. This implies a key role of genetic factors in viral clearance or persistence. The current study aimed at clarifying the effect of certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on individual s susceptibility to HCV infection. A total of 60 patients with confirmed HCV infection and 35 apparently healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Blood sample was obtained from each participant, from which DNA was extracted. The JAK1gene was amplified with conventional PCR technique using three sets of primers targeting three SNPs in this gene: rs2780895, rs4244165 and rs17127024. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used for genotyping of PCR products. Each of rs2780895 and rs17127024 had two genotypes in both patients and controls, however, only the heterozygous genotype of the SNP rs2780895 (CT) significantly associated with the susceptibility to HCV. The SNP rs4244165 appeared in only with homozygous wild genotype (GG) in both patients and controls. It can be concluded that allele T of the SNP rs2780895 could be considered as a risk factor for infection with HCV.