Genetic variants upstream of TNFAIP3 in the 6q23 region are associated with liver disease severity in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients: A cross-sectional study

Infect Genet Evol. 2019 Jan:67:112-120. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.10.008. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Abstract

Background: TNFAIP3 is a crucial hepatoprotective factor due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and pro-regenerative functions. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between genetic variants upstream of TNFAIP3 (rs675520, rs9376293 and rs6920220) and liver fibrosis severity and inflammation in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 215 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, who underwent a liver biopsy. TNFAIP3 polymorphisms were genotyped using GoldenGate® assay. Outcome variables were: a) liver fibrosis (Metavir score) [fibrosis stage (F0, F1, F2, F3 and F4) and advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis (F ≥ 3 and F4, respectively)]; b) non-invasive indexes [FIB-4, APRI, and their cut-offs (FIB-4 ≥ 3.25 and APRI≥1.5)]; c) inflammation-related biomarkers (leptin, HGF, NGF, sFasL, sFas, MIF, HA, Ang-2, TIMP1, MMP1 and MMP2).

Results: Patients with rs675520 AG/GG genotypes had decreased odds of having cirrhosis (F4) and advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 ≥ 3.25 and APRI≥1.5) [adjusted Odd Ratio (aOR) = 0.30 (p = 0.025), aOR = 0.20 (p = 0.014), and aOR = 0.34 (p = 0.017), respectively] and lower levels of FIB-4 and APRI [adjusted arithmetic mean ratio (aAMR) = 0.76 (p = 0.003) and aAMR = 0.72 (p = 0.006), respectively]. Patients with rs9376293 CT/CC genotypes had decreased odds of APRI≥1.5 [aOR = 0.39 (p = 0.030)] and lower levels of APRI [aAMR = 0.77 (p = 0.018)]. Patients with rs6920220 AG/AA genotypes had higher odds of having FIB-4 ≥ 3.25 [aOR = 3.72 (p = 0.043)]. Moreover, rs675520 AG/GG genotypes, compared to AA genotype, were associated with lower levels of leptin and NGF (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively) and higher levels of sFas, MIF, TIMP1 and MMP2 (p = 0.004, p = 0.007, p = 0.020 and p = 0.036, respectively). Also, rs9376293 CT/CC genotypes were related to lower leptin levels (p = 0.026) and higher sFas, MIF, TIMP1 and MMP2 levels (p = 0.029, p = 0.040, p = 0.022 and p = 0.024, respectively).

Conclusions: Genetic variants upstream of TNFAIP3 were associated with the liver fibrosis severity and inflammation in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

Keywords: AIDS; Chronic hepatitis C; Inflammation; Liver fibrosis; SNPs; TNFAIP3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Biomarkers
  • Biopsy
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6*
  • Coinfection*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3 / genetics*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • TNFAIP3 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3