Scavenger receptor class B type I genetic variants associated with disease severity in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Analysis of host genetic polymorphisms is an increasingly important tool for understanding and predicting pathogenesis and treatment response of viral diseases. The gene locus of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR‐BI), encoding a cell entry factor and receptor for hepatitis C virus (HCV), contains several genetic polymorphisms. We applied a probe extension assay to determine the frequency of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the SR‐BI gene locus in 374 individuals with history of HCV infection. In addition, SR‐BI messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were analyzed in liver biopsy specimens of chronically infected HCV subjects. The rs5888 variant allele T was present at a higher frequency in subjects with advanced fibrosis (χ (2), p = 0.016) and after adjusting for age, duration of infection and alcohol intake as confounding factors. Haplotype analysis of SNP frequencies showed that a haplotype consisting of rs61932577 variant allele C and rs5888 variant allele T was associated with an increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis (defined by an Ishak score 4−6) (adjusted odds ratio 2.81; 95% confidence interval 1.06−7.46. p = 0.038). Carriers of the rs5888 variant allele T displayed reduced SR‐BI mRNA expression in liver biopsy specimens. In conclusion the rs5888 polymorphism variant is associated with decreased SR‐BI expression and an increased risk of development of advanced fibrosis in chronic HCV infection. These findings provide further evidence for a role of SR‐BI in HCV pathogenesis and provides a genetic marker for prediction of those infected individuals at greater risk of developing severe disease.