GENETIC POLYMORPHISM AND EXPRESSION OF GAS5 AND MIR-137 RELATED TO SUSCEPTIBILITY OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION

Abstract

Background: Long non coding RNA growth arrest specific 5 (GAS5) have been related to liver fibrosis through epigenetic mechanisms like promoter hyper methylation. On the other hand, microRNA 137 (miR-137) targets genes involved in viral replication and immune response, as well as modulates HBV gene expression. Genetic polymorphisms of these two microRNAs may influence their expression and thus HBV susceptibility.

Aim: This study aims to detect the implications of GAS5 rs2067079 and miR- 137 rs1625579 in susceptibility to HBV infection as well expression levels of these microRNAs.

Methods: This case control investigation encompassed 50 healthy individuals plus 50 HBV patients, GAS5 and miR‑137 level detected via a twostep RT-qPCR approach, while TaqMan SNP genotyping assays were used to genotype both rs2067079 and rs1625579.

Results: The male/female ratio was 2.13 in patient group and regarding sex and age, a notable variation was noted between instances. Liver function tests showed significant differences between patients and controls. The recessive T allele of rs2067079 was found to be a risk factor for HBV infection (OR : 1.45; CI : 2.03-4.78), as well CT+TT genotypes in dominant model showed increased risk of HBV infection. While T allele of rs1625579 was a HBV infection risk factor (OR: 2.05; CI: 1.62-2.49), and GT+TT genotypes in dominant model showed increased risk of HBV infection. Regarding GAS5 and miR-137 expression, they considerably diminished within patients versus controls, where GAS5 level substantially lowered in TT comparing to CT and CC genotypes of rs2067079, while miR-137 was diminished in TT vs. GT and GG genotypes of rs1625579 in HBV instances.

Conclusion: Current investigation revealed that rs2067079 and rs1625579 contributed to the HBV pathogenesis and Gas5 and miR-137 expression respectively, therefore, they might use as possible genetic indicators of HBV vulnerability.