Interferon Lambda 4 Gene (IFNL4) Linked to Hepatitis C Virus Clearance, Treatment

Abstract

Background: AdesignatedIFNL4 gene, encoding the interferon-λ4 protein (IFNL4), which is moderately similar to IFNL3, is more strongly associated with HCV clearance in individuals of African ancestry, whereas it provides comparable information in Europeans and Asians. Aim of the work: The study was attempted for the identification of interferon Lambda 4 (IFNL4) gene expression in the liver biopsy and the recombinant IFNL4 protein in the serum of CHCV patients. Patients and methods: Eighty five patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHCV), whose age ranged between 19 and 57 years, were selected from the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute were included in this study, before chronic HCV therapy, during the preparation of patients, and ten healthy individuals were included to serve as controls. All the patients and controls were subjected to the following: history, clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography and collection of blood samples for routine laboratory investigations, CBCs. Liver biopsy was done to all patients and controls. Patients revealed mild fibrosis (Metavir fibrosis from F1 to F3). Using freshly frozen liver biopsies to identify gene (IFNL4) by real time-PCR and the detection of its serum protein levels by ELISA. Results: Patientswith CHCVhave higher hepatic expression of IFNL4 before treatment and also recombinant IFNL4 protein expression was detectable in serum with high levels. Conclusion: An inducible human protein-coding gene IFNL4, which is related to, known IFNs have been identified in genotype 4 CHCV patients. Recommendations: Thetherapeutic inhibition of IFNL4 might represent a novel biological target for the treatment of HCV and HBV infection and possibly other diseases.