Association of miR-149C>T and miR-499A>G polymorphisms with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Chinese population

• DOI: 10.4238/2014.july.4.20
• Publication Date: 2014-07-07T19:50:47Z
• Authors: X.H. Wang; F.R. Wang; Y.F. Tang; H.Z. Zou; Y.Q. Zhao
• Keywords: Adult; Male; China; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Alcohol Drinking; Genotype; Liver Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Hepatitis B; Prognosis; Hepatitis C; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; 3. Good health; MicroRNAs; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Liver; Risk Factors; Case-Control Studies; Humans; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Aged

We investigate the potential association of miR-149C>T and miR-499A>G polymorphisms and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A matched case-control study of 152 cases and 304 controls were conducted. The miR-149C>T and miR-499A>G genotypes were analyzed using duplex polymerase chain reaction with restricted fragment length polymorphism. HCC patients were more likely to be smokers and drinkers, have hepatitis B and C virus infections, and a family history of cancer. The miR-149 CC genotype was associated with a reduced risk of HCC, while the miR-499 GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of HCC. However, we did not find that the miR-149 CC and miR-499 GG genotypes were associated with risk of HCC, and no interaction was found between miR-149C>T and miR-499A>G polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus infection. In conclusion, the miRNA-149C>T and miR-499A>G polymorphisms were found to play an important role for HCC risk in China. This finding could be useful in identifying people at high risk for the disease for early intervention.