Extracellular Matrix Proteins Substantiate IL-28B T allele Effect on Histological Outcome of Chronic Hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The correlation between interleukin-28B (IL-28B) polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) progression is debatable. Here, we aimed to evaluate the relation between IL-28B C/T genotypes and the development of cirrhotic liver. Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, FibroScan and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) were used to substantiate the severity of liver disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: IL-28B rs12979860, liver stiffness and ECM proteins were assessed in 272 CHC patients.

RESULTS: Cirrhosis percentage increased to 10%, 52% and 96% with the increasing number of T alleles (CC, CT and TT, respectively). Also, elevated ECM proteins levels were correlated with the increasing number of T alleles. Interestingly, among cirrhotic patients, liver stiffness, MELD and ECM proteins were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in patients with TT more than CT genotype. FibroScan, hyaluronic acid, Laminin, Collagen IV and the N-terminal pro-peptide of collagen type III have high accuracy to differentiate liver status in CC from TT genotype. Area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (95% CI) were 1.0 (1.0-1.0), 0.97 (0.96- 1.0), 0.93 (0.85-1.0), 0.98 (0.97-1.0) and 0.93 (0.91-0.97), respectively.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that IL-28B T allele affects the natural course of CHC type 4 and also suggests that carriage of the IL-28B C allele protects from unfavorable clinical outcomes in CHC as coexistence of C allele with T allele reduced cirrhosis severity.