Association of serum IFN-λ3 with inflammatory and fibrosis markers in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of liver cancer. The single nucleotide polymorphisms within the IFNL3 gene, which encodes interferon (IFN)-λ(3), are strongly associated with the response to pegylated IFN-α (PEG-IFN-α) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy in chronic hepatitis C (C-CH) patients. However, the roles of IFN-λ(3) in chronic HCV infection are still elusive.

Development of specific and quantitative real-time detection PCR and immunoassays for λ3-interferon.

Aim:   Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) around interferon (IFN)-λ3 have been associated with the response to pegylated IFN-α treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Specific quantification methods for IFN-λ3 are required to facilitate clinical and basic study.

Methods:   Gene-specific primers and probes for IFN-λ1, 2 and 3 were designed for real-time detection PCR (RTD-PCR).