Effect of interleukin-12 p40 subunit gene 3 -untranslated region polymorphism in chronic HCV infection

Production of unusual cytokine levels in hepatitis C infection appears to be associated with progression of the disease, persistence of the virus in host, and establishment of chronic disease. Interleukin-12 as a heterodimeric immunoregulating cytokine is important in the generation of a Th1-based immune response. In this study we investigated the role of IL-12B 3′UTR polymorphism in susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C infection. A total of 126 chronic hepatitis C patients and 136 healthy blood donors were genotyped for IL12-p 40- 3′ UTR polymorphism. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP method. The results were confirmed by analyzing 10 % of the samples by direct sequencing. We found no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the 3’UTR polymorphism between chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy controls. There was no association between IL12B-3’UTR polymorphism and chronic hepatitis C infection.Our study can be useful in regard to the factors regulating IL-12 production, and its consequent impact on chronic hepatitis C infection susceptibility in Iranian population.