Association of genetic variations in CCR5 and its ligand, RANTES with clearance of hepatitis B virus in Korea

Immunogenetic factors may play a role in determining the susceptibility of an individual to viral infection. The aim of current study was to investigate the association of clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with promoter polymorphisms within the CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and its major ligand, regulated upon activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES) genes. Five chemokine system polymorphisms (CCR5 Delta 32, CCR5 promoter 59029G/A, 59353C/T, RANTES -403G/A, and -28C/G) were studied in a total of 698 subjects. The carriage of each genetic variant was compared among "spontaneously recovered" group (n = 243), "chronic carrier" group (n = 349), and "unexposed" group (n=106). CCR5 59029G promoter variant was associated with clearance of HBV infection in an acute phase (OR=1.71, P=0.006, dominant model; OR=2.17, P < 0.001, recessive model) and amelioration of hepatic inflammation (P=0.003) with the control of HBV replication (P=0.04) in chronic carriers. Interestingly, CCR5 59029 was linked completely to CCR5 59353, and CCR5 Delta 32 homozygosity or heterozygosity was not found in any Korean patient. No association was seen with RANTES polymorphisms at position -403 and -28. The CCR5 59029G/CCR5 59353T polymorphism may play a role in the clearance of HBV infection.