BACKGROUND: The T-box21 (TBX21) gene encodes the transcription factor T-bet (T-box expressed in T-cells), which influences naive T-lymphocyte development and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. METHODS: We selected 208 hepatitis B patients and 213 healthy volunteers to examine whether polymorphisms or haplotypes of the TBX21 gene promoter were associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Chinese population. Two polymorphisms at -1499 and -1514 located in the TBX21 promoter region were identified by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1499 was significantly different between HBV patients and healthy controls [p=0.003; odds ratio (OR) 3.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.58-8.45]. Similarly, our results showed a significantly higher level of haplotype D (--/AC) in HBV patients compared to control subjects (p=0.005; OR 4.82, 95% CI 1.59-14.61). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, it seems that genetic variations of allele -1499 and haplotype D (--/AC) within the TBX21 promoter region contribute to susceptibility to HBV infection in the Chinese population.
BACKGROUND: The T-box21 (TBX21) gene encodes the transcription factor T-bet (T-box expressed in T-cells), which influences naive T-lymphocyte development and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. METHODS: We selected 208 hepatitis Bpatients and 213 healthy volunteers to examine whether polymorphisms or haplotypes of the TBX21 gene promoter were associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Chinese population. Two polymorphisms at -1499 and -1514 located in the TBX21 promoter region were identified by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1499 was significantly different between HBVpatients and healthy controls [p=0.003; odds ratio (OR) 3.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.58-8.45]. Similarly, our results showed a significantly higher level of haplotype D (--/AC) in HBVpatients compared to control subjects (p=0.005; OR 4.82, 95% CI 1.59-14.61). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, it seems that genetic variations of allele -1499 and haplotype D (--/AC) within the TBX21 promoter region contribute to susceptibility to HBV infection in the Chinese population.