[Gene polymorphism of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the pathogenesis and clinical course of chronic hepatitis in children].

UNLABELLED: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a cytokine modulating the immune response. The role of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms in the incidence and modification of the clinical course of these diseases has been recently evaluated. THE AIM of the study was to assess the relation between TGF-beta1gene polymorphism and the incidence of chronic hepatitis, the course of the disease, TGF-beta1 level in plasma and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in liver tissue.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The studied group comprised 21 patients with chronic hepatitis including 10 with HBV infection, 4 with HCV infection and 7 with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Forty-two children were included in the control group. Analysis of four studied polymorphisms of TGF-beta1 gene was based on CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence) method, TGF-beta1 level in plasma was estimated using sandwich ELISA. TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time PCR).

RESULTS

No correlation between studied polymorphisms and the incidence or clinical course of chronic hepatitis was found. There were no significant differences in TGF-beta1 level in plasma and mRNA expression depending on polymorphisms of TGF-beta1 gene.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The polymorphisms of TGF-beta1 gene do not appear to influence the incidence and clinical course of chronic hepatitis in children. 2. Due to relatively low number of patients in the analysed groups it seems advisable to perform similar complex studies in larger groups of children with chronic hepatitis.