Polymorphisms rs763110 in is linked to hepatitis C virus infection among high-risk populations.

Background: The Fas cell surface death receptor (FAS) and Fas ligand (FASL) can participate in the apoptosis of immune cells and target cells infected with a virus through the FAS-FASL signalling pathway. The decoy receptor 3 (DCR3) can competitively inhibit the binding of FAS to FASL. Our aim is to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: Four SNPs (rs763110 in , rs1324551 and rs2234767 in and rs2257440 in ) were genotyped in 1495 controls free of HCV, 522 individuals with spontaneous HCV clearance and 732 patients with hepatitis C virus infection. The RegulomeDB database and RNAfold web servers were used to explore potential biological functions of SNPs.

Results: rs763110 was associated with susceptibility to HCV infection, and not to CHC. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of HCV infection in high-risk populations carrying rs763110-TT was 1.82 (1.36-2.51, < 0.001) compared to that of CC genotypes and 1.93 (1.43-2.60, < 0.001) higher than that of CC + CT genotypes. Based on computer simulation, rs763110-T may affect the transcription of mRNA by affecting the binding of a transcription factor, leading to structural changes in mRNA.

Conclusion: The genetic variant in is linked with HCV infection, but not to spontaneous HCV clearance.