Studies on genomic polymorphisms determining host immune reactions against viral infection and interferon therapy

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Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 has been indispensable for the functional activation of T helper 1 (Th1) cytokine release. We investigated promoter polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms ; SNPs) in the IRF-1 gene to see correlation between SNP types and response to the interferon (IFN) therapy or host immune reaction. Host immune reaction significantly differed according to the SNP types possessed by the host. Th1 reaction was strongly activated with administration of IFN in the host possessing one SNP type, but Th2 reaction was predominant in the host possessing the other type of SNP. These results suggested that the prediction of the host immune reaction in the HCV infection might be possible by checking IRF-1 promoter SNP types, especially in the patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN. Because Th1 function is beneficial for viral elimination and Th2 function may regulate inflammation in the liver. However, the people with Th1-dominant type were few and this SNP types could not explain the response to IFN therapy in the patients. Further investigation including promoter SNPs in the other various cytokines is necessary for clarifying the exact prediction of the IFN therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.