Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) polymorphisms are associated with non-progression of chronic hepatitis C in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.

Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) polymorphisms have been related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim was to estimate the association of TLR8 polymorphisms with HCV-related outcomes in HIV/HCV coinfected patients. We performed a cross-sectional study of 220 patients who underwent a liver biopsy. TLR8 polymorphisms were genotyped using GoldenGate® assay. The outcome variables were non-fibrosis (F0), mild-inflammation (A0/A1), and non-steatosis [fatty hepatocytes (FH) <10%]. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the outcome variables according to TLR8 polymorphisms. Four polymorphisms were analyzed (rs1013151, rs5744069, rs17256081 and rs3764880rs1013151). Female patients had higher frequency of TLR8 major alleles at rs17256081 and rs101315, and minor alleles at rs3764880 and rs5744069. Male patients had higher frequency of TLR8 minor alleles except for rs3764880, where major alleles were higher (p<0.01). Two TLR8 polymorphisms (rs1013151 and rs5744069) were significantly associated with non-fibrosis (F0) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=4.42 (95% of confidence interval (95%CI)=1.54; 12.68) (p=0.006) and aOR=4.76 (95%CI=1.69; 13.37) (p=0.003); respectively]. When data were stratified by gender, rs1013151 and rs5744069 polymorphisms remained significant for male patients [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=4.49 (95%CI=1.08; 18.62) (p=0.039) and aOR=6.17 (95%CI=1.45; 26.20) (p=0.014); respectively]. When data were stratified by major HCV genotypes, patients infected with HCV genotype 1 (GT1) had significant values for both rs1013151 and rs5744069 polymorphisms [aOR=5.79 (95%CI=1.44; 23.32) (p=0.013) and aOR=8.01 (95%CI=2.16; 35.65) (p=0.005); respectively]. Finally, none of the TLR8 polymorphisms were significantly associated with mild-inflammation or non-steatosis. In conclusion, TLR8 polymorphisms seem to be related to non-progression of liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV coinfected patients, particularly in males and those patients infected with GT1.