Variations in TM6SF2, PCSK9 and PCSK7 genes and risk of hepatic steatosis after liver transplantation: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Genetic abnormalities might have important role in pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis after liver transplantation. We aimed to investigate association between genetic variations in transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) rs58542926, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) rs505151 and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 7 (PCSK7) rs2277287 with hepatic steatosis in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, adult (> 18 years) liver transplant recipients who were referred for their routine post-transplant follow-up between June 2018 and September 2018 were included in the study. Hepatic steatosis in transplant recipients was assessed by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) was used to study TM6SF2 rs58542926, PCSK7 rs2277287 and PCSK9 rs505151 genotypes. RESULTS: 107 liver transplant recipients were included. There was no association between different genotypes of PCSK9 rs505151 and PCSK7 rs2277287 with hepatic steatosis in liver transplant recipients (P value > 0.05). The presence of TT genotype of TM6SF2 rs58542926 was higher in patients with hepatic steatosis measured by CAP after liver transplantation. In patients with moderate and severe hepatic steatosis (grade 2 and 3 steatosis), AG + GG genotypes of PCSK9 rs505151 were more prevalent than AA genotype (OR 8.667; 95% CI 1.841–40.879; P value = 0.004) compared to patients with mild steatosis (grade 1). In multivariate regression model, AG + GG genotypes of PCSK9 rs505151 were associated with moderate and severe steatosis in liver transplant recipients (OR 5.747; 95% CI 1.086–30.303; P value = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variations in TM6SF2 rs58542926 and PCSK9 rs505151 might be associated with hepatic steatosis in liver transplant recipients.