Host Genetic Determinants of Spontaneous Hepatitis C Clearance

Abstract

Acute infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) induces a wide range of innate and adaptive immune responses. A total of 20–50% of acutely HCV-infected individuals permanently control the virus, referred to as ‘spontaneous hepatitis C clearance‘, while the infection progresses to chronic hepatitis C in the majority of cases. Numerous studies have examined host genetic determinants of hepatitis C infection outcome and revealed the influence of genetic polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigens, killer immunoglobulin-like receptors, chemokines, interleukins and interferon-stimulated genes on spontaneous hepatitis C clearance. However, most genetic associations were not confirmed in independent cohorts, revealed opposing results in diverse populations or were limited by varying definitions of hepatitis C outcomes or small sample size. Coordinated efforts are needed in the search for key genetic determinants of spontaneous hepatitis C clearance that include well-conducted candidate genetic and genome-wide association studies, direct sequencing and follow-up functional studies.

KEYWORDS::

• association studies
• genetics
• hepatitis C
• spontaneous hepatitis C clearance

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Chloe Thio is supported by a grant support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases and by NIH grant DA13324. All authors have viewed the submitted manuscript and agree with its contents. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Chloe Thio is supported by a grant support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases and by NIH grant DA13324. All authors have viewed the submitted manuscript and agree with its contents. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.