Possible Role of Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) Variants on Liver Fibrosis Progression in Chronic Hepatitis Patients

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

1 Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia, Egypt

2 Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia, Egypt

3 Master's Degree in clinical Pathology, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Cirrhosis results from chronic liver injury. Chemokines have a central role in modulating immune activity. The Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC), functioning as a decoy receptor, helps maintain chemokine balance in the bloodstream. Objective: To explore how the DARC rs12075 (125A > G; Asp42Gly) genetic variation relates to liver fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis patients. Methodology: A case-control design was employed. The study included 80 patients with chronic hepatitis C or B (40 with cirrhosis, 40 without) and 40 matched healthy individuals as controls. All participants underwent routine diagnostic procedures and liver fibrosis assessment via FibroScan. The rs12075 polymorphism was genotyped using real-time PCR. Results: The GG genotype was less frequent in the cirrhotic group compared to other groups. Furthermore, a lower frequency of liver cirrhosis was observed in the dominant genetic model (GG+AG versus AA genotypes). The G allele was notably underrepresented among cirrhotic patients (25%) compared to both non-cirrhotics (40%) and controls (41.3%), showing a potential protective association (ORs of 0.5 and 0.47, p = 0.043 and p = 0.029, respectively). Conclusion: The DARC rs12075 polymorphism may influence fibrosis advancement in chronic viral hepatitis. The G allele potentially offers a protective effect against cirrhosis.

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