Polymorphisms within Fas gene are not associated with occult hepatitis B virus infection

authors:

avatar Mohammad Kazemi Arababadi 1 , * , avatar Adel Mohammadzadeh 2 , avatar Ali Akbar Pourfathollah 2 , avatar Derek Kennedy 3

Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, dr.kazemi@rums.ac.ir, Kerman, IR Iran
Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, IR Iran
School of Biomolecular and physical Science, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University Nathan, Australia
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.11, issue 1; 23-26
article type: Research Article
received: March 22, 2010
accepted: August 11, 2010

how to cite: Arababadi M, Mohammadzadeh A, Pourfathollah A, Kennedy D. Polymorphisms within Fas gene are not associated with occult hepatitis B virus infection. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(1): 23-26. 

Abstract

Background: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a form of hepatitis in which there is an absence of detectable HBsAg, despite the presence of HBV-DNA in the peripheral blood of patients. It seems that non-effective or attenuated immune system responses against HBV lead to the development of OBI. Previous studies showed that the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system is an important death signaling pathway that is used by cytotoxic T lymphocytes to eradicate HBV from the liver.
Objectives: To investigate polymorphisms in the -670 region of the Fas gene in those with OBI.
Patients and Methods: The plasma samples from 3700 blood donors were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by ELISA. The HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ samples were selected and screened for HBV-DNA by PCR. Those with HBV-DNA were diagnosed as OBI and PCR-RFLP technique was performed to examine polymorphisms within their Fas gene.
Results: 352 (9.5%) of 3700 blood samples were HBsAg-/anti-HBc+. HBV-DNA was detected in 57 (16.1%) of 352 HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ samples. Therefore, 57 HBsAg-/anti-HBc+/HBV-DNA+ patients were diagnosed as OBI. Patient and control groups had no significant differences in terms of the studied polymorphisms.
Conclusions: The functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of Fas gene are not associated with OBI. Therefore, it may be concluded that polymorphisms at the -670 position of the Fas gene do not have any critical effects on the immune response against HBV in OBI.

  • Implication for Health policy/practice/research/medical education:
    The role of gene polymorphisms in patients with Hepatitis B virus infection is discussed in this study. Reading this article is suggested to all virolo¬gists, genetic specialists in the field of hepatology.
  • Please cite this paper as:
    Arababadi MK, Mohammadzadeh A, Pourfathollah AA, Kennedy D. Polymorphisms within Fas gene are not associated with occult HBV infection. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(1):23-26.

2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.

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