Association between Lymphotoxin (LT-A) Gene Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Iranian Patients

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The clearance of the HCV is dependent on cytokines control led by genetic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Lymphotoxin (LT-A) polymorphism at +252 in susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C. Methods: In this case-control study, 120 individuals infected by HCV and 120 healthy controls were investigated. The Genotyping was carried out by PCR then PCR products were utilized for RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). The distribution of LT-A gene +252 G>A polymorphism was compared in the two groups. Result: The Frequency of LT-A gene +252 for GG, GA and AA genotypes was respectively 45.5%, 47.9% and 6.6% in the case group and 49.2%, 45.8% and 5% in the control group. There was no significant difference in genotyping frequency between HCV and healthy control groups. Conclusion: In this study, we observed no significant relationship between +252 polymorphism of the LT-A gene and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, polymorphism in LT-A gene is not a prognostic factor for susceptibility to chronic HCV in Iranian population.