Correlation of CD81 and SCARB1 polymorphisms on virological responses in Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1.

The cluster of differentiation 81 (CD81) and scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SCARB1) plays an important role in the entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed the correlation of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CD81 (rs800136, rs2651842, rs2522012, rs800146, and rs708564) and SCARB1 rs10846744 polymorphisms with treatment responses in 395 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HCV (CHC) genotype 1 treated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin (pegIFN-α/RBV). The frequency of rapid virologic response (RVR), complete early virologic response (cEVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) were 57.2%, 55.2%, and 58.2%, respectively. RVR, cEVR, and SVR were significantly associated with CD81 rs800136 (CC), CD81 rs2651842 (AA), CD81 rs708564 (TT), and SCARB1 rs10846744 (CC). High rates of RVR, cEVR, and SVR were reported for the CD81 rs800136 (CC), CD81 rs2651842 (AA), and CD81 rs708564 (TT) genotypes when correlated with higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as well as lower levels of HDL and LDL in the SCARB1 rs10846744 (CC) genotype. In addition, patients with GG genotype had higher fasting blood glucose (FBS) level than those with CC genotype. In conclusion, CD81 and SCARB1 SNPs may serve as powerful predictor factors for treatment responses in CHC patients, and this effect is correlated with serum lipoprotein and FBS levels.