The significant impact of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3(Tim-3) gene polymorphism on HCV infection and viral load.

Objective: Aim: To evaluate the role of -574 locus gene polymorphism in promotor region of TIM-3 gene in HCV infection and viral load.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: The current study executed on 100 subjects (50 patients with HCV and 50 obviously healthy objects as control). Blood sample compiled from all participants. All samples underwent to diagnosis for HCV confirm by viral load measurement by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Extraction the Genomic DNA performed from blood. The gene fragment corresponding the-574 locus (rs10515746) in TIM-3 gene was amplified and genotyping by allele specific - polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR).

Results: Results: In recessive model, in patients the frequency of GT-TT genotype was significantly higher than controls (86% vs. 62%) with a highly important variation (OR=3.76, 95% CI=1.41-10.05, p=0.008 at allelic level, T allele was more continual in patients than controls (60% contra 42%) with a considerable variation (OR=2.07, 95%CI=1.18-3.64, p= 0.015). About 42% of patients carrying TT genotype had viral load ≥200000 IU/ml compared with 15.38% GT carriers and 0% GG carries with such a viral load with a significant difference. At allelic level, T allele was more continual in patients than controls (60% contra 42%) with a significant variation (OR=2.07, 95%CI=1.18-3.64, p= 0.015.

Conclusion: Conclusions: T allele of rs10515746 considered a risk factor for HCV infection as well as for higher hepatitis C viral load in those patients, and it could predict treatment failure. However, with more aggressive antiviral therapies, viral cure could be achieved.