OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic association between cirrhosis and polymorphisms in the genes encoding major histocompatibility complex, class II (HLA)-DR beta 1 (DRB1) and HLA-DP beta 1 (DPB1).

METHODSA population of 168 parent/offspring trios, in which the proband had a diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection with clinical signs of cirrhosis.The HLA-DRB1 and DPB 1 gene polymorphisms of rs24755213 and rs202176660 were detected by PCR and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping.Correlation analysis and haplotype relative risk analysis were carried out.

RESULTSA/G genotypes were detected in rs24755213 of HLA-DRB1 and C/T genotypes were detected in rs202176660 of DPB1.The rs24755213 allele was associated with cirrhosis (P=0.014), with the G allele identified as a protective factor (Z=-2.33) and the A allele identified as a hazard factor (Z=2.33).The rs202176660 allele was also associated with cirrhosis (P =0.026), with the T allele identified as a protective factor (Z=-2.06) and the C allele identified as a hazard factor (Z=2.06).The haplotypes of G/T and A/C in rs24755213 and rs202176660 respectively were associated with cirrhosis (P =0.037 and 0.002, Z=-2.12 and 2.09 respectively).

CONCLUSIONIn this group of Chinese patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis, polymorphisms in the HLA-DRB 1 and DPB1 genes were associated with cimhosis.