A Simple PCR-RFLP Method for Genotyping of IFNL4 rs368234815 Polymorphism in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Abstract

Background: The IFNL4 rs368234815 polymorphism plays a prominent role in spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aimed to develop a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for assessment of rs368234815 polymorphism.

Methods: We genotyped the rs368234815 polymorphism in 87 patients with chronic HCV by PCR sequencing and PCR-RFLP methods, simultaneously.

Results: Genotyping of IFNL4 rs368234815 via PCR-RFLP was concordant with PCR sequencing in all 87 individuals (100%). The analytical sensitivity and specificity of the developed PCR-RFLP method for genotyping of rs368234815 polymorphism were each 100%. Among these patients with chronic HCV, the frequency of rs368234815 TT/TT, TT/ΔG, and ΔG/ΔG were 44.8%, 37.9%, and 17.3%, respectively.

Conclusions: The PCR-RFLP method that we developed is accurate, rapid, inexpensive, and easy to perform for genotyping of the IFNL4 rs368234815 polymorphism. This method can be used for clinical and research work.

Keywords: Polymerase Chain Reaction; genetic polymorphism; hepatitis C; human IFNL4 protein; restriction fragment length polymorphism.