IL-17A G197A gene polymorphism contributes to susceptibility for liver cirrhosis development from patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in Chinese population

IL-17A G197A and IL-17F A7488G gene polymorphisms are found to be associated with the risk of several diseases, however few studies have focused on their correlation with risk of liver cirrhosis (LC). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of IL-17A G197A and IL-17F A7488G gene polymorphisms on development of LC from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Chinese patients. A total of 163 HBV-related LC patients and 168 CHB patients were enrolled in the present study. IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphisms were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism assay (PCR-RFLP). Frequencies of IL-17A G197A genotype AA and allele A were significantly higher in LC patients compared with that in CHB patients (AA 42.33% vs 27.98%, P = 0.032; A 56.34% vs 46.15%, P=0.011, respectively); While no significant difference in frequencies of genotypes and alleles of IL-17F A7488G was found between the two groups. The AA genotype of IL-17A G197A significantly increased LC risk (OR 4.186, 95% CI: 1.479-11.844), while A allele carriers were also associated with an increased LC risk (OR 1.856, 95% CI: 1.161-2.967). IL-17A G197A is a candidate gene that confers the genetic susceptibility for LC development from CHB in Chinese population.