Genetic polymorphism of interleukin-16 influences susceptibility to HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma in a Chinese population

• Published in: Infection, genetics and evolution genetics and evolution, 2011-12, Vol.11 (8), p.2083-2088
• Main Authors: Li, Shan, Deng, Yan, Chen, Zhi-Ping, Huang, Shan, Liao, Xiang-Cheng, Lin, Li-Wen, Li, Huang, Peng, Tao, Qin, Xue, Zhao, Jin-min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Alleles; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - genetics; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - etiology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - genetics; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - immunology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - virology; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Hepatitis B virus - genetics; Hepatitis B, Chronic - complications; Hepatitis B, Chronic - genetics; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; IL16; Infectious diseases; Interleukin-16 - genetics; Linkage Disequilibrium; Liver Neoplasms - etiology; Liver Neoplasms - genetics; Liver Neoplasms - immunology; Liver Neoplasms - virology; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; SNP; Tumors
• ISSN: 1567-1348; 1567-7257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.09.025

► Polymorphisms of the IL16 gene were studied. ► Rs11556218T/G TG and GG genotypes will increase the risk of HBV-related HCC. ► Subjects with G allele appeared to have higher susceptibility to HBV-related HCC. ► Rs4072111C/T TT genotype will increase the risk of HBV-related HCC. ► IL-16 gene polymorphisms may be a useful genetic marker for HBV-related HCC. Aim: Interleukin-16 (IL16) as a multifunctional cytokine, plays a key role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as tumour growth and progression. Recently, genetic polymorphisms of IL16 have been reported to be associated with susceptibility to a range of cancers. This study was undertaken to investigate the IL16 gene polymorphisms and determine whether these genetic factors are related to the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a Chinese population. Methods: We analyzed three polymorphisms of the IL16 gene (rs11556218T/G, rs4072111C/T and rs4778889T/C) in 206 patients with HBV-related HCC, 270 chronic hepatitis B patients and 264 healthy controls, using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method and DNA sequencing technology. Results:IL16 polymorphisms were not associated with risk of HCC when compared with healthy controls. However, IL16 polymorphisms were significantly associated with susceptibility to HBV-related HCC when using chronic hepatitis B patients as controls. The rs11556218T/G TG and GG genotypes were associated with significantly increased risk of HBV-related HCC compared with the TT genotype (OR=1.96 and OR=3.33). The data also revealed that subjects with the G allele appeared to have higher susceptibility to HBV-related HCC than those with the T allele (OR=2.10). Under the dominant model genotype TG+GG appeared to be associated with an increased risk of HBV-related HCC (OR=2.18). The rs4072111C/T TT genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of HBV-related HCC compared with the CC genotype (OR=6.67). Polymorphisms of the IL16 gene were significantly associated with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B when using healthy subjects as controls. The rs11556218T/G TG and GG genotypes were associated with significantly decreased risk of chronic hepatitis B compared with the TT genotype (OR=0.49 and OR=0.29). The data also revealed that subjects with the G allele appeared to have lower susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B than those with the T allele (OR=0.46). Under the dominant model genotype TG+GG appeared to