A variant in the CD209 promoter is associated with the severity of liver disease in chronic Hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

CD209, a c-type lectin expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) acts as a pathogen recognition receptor. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of CD209 (-336 A/G; rs4804803) affects transcription and is associated with the severity of Tuberculosis and Dengue fever. As CD209 binds Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) glycoprotein-E2, we investigated this SNP in the context of chronic HCV infection. 131 Irish women who had received HCV contaminated Anti-D immunoglobulin and 79 healthy controls were genotyped. We found no association between rs4804803 and the risk of HCV chronicity. However, of those with chronic infection, possession of at least one g-allele was associated with more advanced liver disease, with significantly higher liver fibrosis scores and levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) observed. We conclude that rs4804803, a SNP in the CD209 promoter contributes to the severity of liver disease in chronic HCV infection.