The association of genetic variants with hepatic steatosis in patients with genotype 1 chronic Hepatitis C infection

Paul J. Clark, Alexander J. Thompson, Qianqian Zhu, David M. Vock, Mingfu Zhu, Keyur Patel, Stephen A. Harrison, Susanna Naggie, Dongliang Ge, Hans L. Tillmann, Thomas J. Urban, Kevin Shianna, Jacques Fellay, Zachary Goodman, Stephanie Noviello, Lisa D. Pedicone, Nezam Afdhal, Mark Sulkowski, Janice K. Albrecht, David B. GoldsteinJohn G. McHutchison, Andrew J. Muir

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL28B and PNPLA3 gene regions have been associated with hepatic steatosis in genotype 1 (G1) chronic HCV infection but their clinical impacts remain to be determined. Aim We sought to validate these associations and to explore their impact on treatment response to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy. Methods A total of 972 G1 HCV-infected Caucasian patients were genotyped for the SNPs rs12979860 (IL28B) and rs2896019 (PNPLA3). Multivariable analysis tested IL28B and PNPLA3 for association with the presence of any steatosis (>0 %); clinically significant steatosis (>5 %); steatosis severity (grade 0-3/4); and the interacting associations of the SNPs and hepatic steatosis to sustained viral response (SVR). Results IL28B and PNPLA3 polymorphisms were associated with the presence of any steatosis (rs12979860, p = 1.87 × 10 -7; rs2896019, p = 7.56 × 10 -4); clinically significant steatosis (rs12979860, p = 1.82 × 10 -3; rs2896019, p = 1.27 × 10 -4); and steatosis severity (rs12979860, p = 2.05 × 10 -8; rs2896019, p = 2.62 × 10 -6). Obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, liver fibrosis, and liver inflammation were all independently associated with worse steatosis. Hepatic steatosis was associated with lower SVR, and this effect was attenuated by IL28B. PNPLA3 had no independent association with SVR. Conclusions IL28B and PNPLA3 are associated with hepatic steatosis prevalence and severity in Caucasians with G1 HCV, suggesting differing potential genetic risk pathways to steatosis. IL28B attenuates the association between steatosis and SVR. Remediable metabolic risk factors remain important, independently of these polymorphisms, and remain key therapeutic goals to achieve better outcomes for patients with HCV-associated hepatic steatosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2213-2221
Number of pages9
JournalDigestive diseases and sciences
Volume57
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • Abdominal obesity metabolic syndrome
  • Adiponutrin, human
  • Fatty liver
  • IL28B protein, human
  • PNPLA3 protein, human
  • Polymorphism, single-nucleotide, SNP

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Gastroenterology

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