1021-LB

Abstract

Aim IL28B and KIR genes with their HLA-C groups ligands were investigated as candidates for persistent HCV infection or HCV clearance in a sample of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) population. Methods The (rSSO-PCR) was employed to identify KIR genes and pseudogenes and HLA alleles in 181 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, 45 spontaneously recovered (SR), and 214 blood donor healthy individuals (BD). Also, IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs12979860, rs12980275 and rs8099917 were typed by real-time PCR in all groups (CHC = 217 individuals; SR = 45; BD = 191). Results The carrier frequency of KIR2DL2 is higher in SR (73.3%) compared to CHC (55.6%; p = 0.005) and BD (48.9%; p = 0.04) and KIR2DL5 is lower in CHC (46.8%) vs BD (63.3%; p = 0.002). KIR3DS1 was decreased in CHC (24.2%) than SR (46.7%; p = 0.005) and BD (38.3%; p = 0.005). The frequencies of KIR genes and their HLA-C group ligands were significantly different among CHC vs. SR (KIR2DL2/3+C1, p Conclusions We confirmed that KIR2DL2 and KIR3DS1 are associated in resolution of Hepatitis C virus infection and KIR2DL5 with chronic hepatitis. The imbalance between activating and inhibitory KIR and HLA ligands may explain, at least in part, the pathogenesis of the HCV infection. IL28B rs12979860 CC and rs12980275 AA genotype strongly enhances spontaneously resolution of HCV infection. These findings support a role for natural killer (NK) cell activation in clearance of HCV, partially mediated by IL28B among individuals of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) population.