Analysis of TNF-α promoter region polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis B patients in north Han population

Objective To determine whether the polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) promoter region is associated with the outcomes of HBV infection. Methods The study adopted case-control design and candidate genes strategy.A total of 503 cases that came from northern Han population were enrolled in the study,including 291 chronic hepatitis B patients(CHB) and 212 spontaneously HBV cleared subjects(SC).Polymorphisms of TNF-α promoter region were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCRRFLP).The frequencies of the polymorphisms of TNF-α promoter gene in two groups were compared using pearson chi-square,Fisher exact test for P value,odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence interval(CI) to determine the influence of host genetic factors on HBV infection outcomes. Results TNF-α-238GA genotype and TNF-α-857CC genotype were susceptible factors to chronic hepatitis B after HBV infection(P0.05).Haplotype frequency of-238G/-857C/-863A in chronic hepatitis B patients was significantly higher than that in spontaneously HBV cleared subjects. Conclusion TNF-α promoter region polymorphisms are likely to play an important role in the outcome of HBV infection in northern Han population.