# The Correlation Between NTCP rs2296651 Variant and Risk of Hepatitis B, Cirrhosis, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Iranian Population

## TL;DR

This study explores how a genetic variant in the NTCP gene affects the risk of hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in Iran.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel association between the NTCP rs2296651 variant and liver disease risk in the Iranian population.

## Key findings

- The NTCP rs2296651 variant is positively associated with cirrhosis in the Iranian population.
- A significant link exists between cirrhosis and hepatitis B virus infection.
- The variant shows a negative relationship between cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

## Abstract

Millions of people are suffering from different types of liver diseases worldwide. Hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the leading causes of death caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV needs to interact with the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) to enter the cytoplasm of the hepatocyte. single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with rs2296651 (Ser267Phe, S267F, G>A) variation in the NTCP has been investigated as a reverse association with the function of NTCP and entry of HBV into the cell in the Asian population. We investigated the relationship between the NTCP rs2296651 variant and HBV infection, liver cirrhosis, and HCC in the Iranian population.

Whole blood DNA of 50 healthy individuals as a control group and 90 patients (HBV, cirrhosis, and HCC) were extracted, and the tetra amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (tetra-ARMS PCR) was done to identify the genotypes of the samples.

Based on our analytical tests using SPSS software, there was a positive and significant association between NTCP rs2296651 in the control group and cirrhosis (P=0.002), as well as between cirrhosis and HBV (P<0.001). However, there was a negative relationship between cirrhosis and HCC (P=0.003).

The NTCP rs2296651 variant may confer resistance to HBV infection in the Iranian population.