RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of genetic polymorphism of dendritic cell-specific ICAM-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGNR) and hepatitis C infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with hepatitis C (n = 268) were genotyped and analysed for the repeat sequences polymorphism of DC-SIGNR using PCR and DNA sequencing. HCV virus load and HCV RNA genotypes were analyzed. Inter-group comparison was analyzed using LSD method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant correlation was found between DC-SIGNR genotypes/ alleles and HCV RNA genotypes in patients. HCV-infected patients with 7-repeat (medium) alleles had lower HCV RNA levels compared to patients with 9-repeat (onger) alleles (P = 0.036). HCV-infected patients with 7/7 genotype had lower HCV RNA levels compared to patients with 9/7 genotype (P = 0.025). These findings suggest that optimal attachment of hepatitis C virions to DC-SIGNR may be associated with longer alleles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The fact that DC-SIGNR polymorphism might affect HCV loads supports the concept that DC-SIGNR contributes to HCV replication efficacy. There is no significant correlation between the genetic polymorphism of DC-SIGNR and HCV-RNA genotypes.</p>