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World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2014; 20(20): 6226-6235
Published online May 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i20.6226
Relationship between cytokine gene polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Semra Tunçbilek
Semra Tunçbilek, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ufuk University School of Medicine, 06520 Ankara, Turkey
Author contributions: Tunçbilek S reviewed all the manuscripts listed in references section and wrote this review.
Correspondence to: Semra Tunçbilek, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ufuk University School of Medicine, Mevlana Bulvarı (Konya Yolu) No. 86-88, Balgat, 06520 Ankara, Turkey. semrakuli@yahoo.com
Telephone: +90-312-2044149 Fax:+90-312-2872390
Received: October 9, 2013
Revised: December 9, 2013
Accepted: January 2, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The specific polymorphisms of genes encoding cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-28B, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, tumor growth factor-β1, and regulatory molecules such as vitamin D receptor and chemokine receptor 5 affect the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This review aims to summarize the literature on cytokine gene polymorphisms and chronic HBV infection and discuss future prospects regarding the clinical implication of these polymorphisms.