Are polymorphisms of HLA-DP associated with response to peginterferon in Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B?
In this large cohort of Caucasian chronic hepatitis B patients infected with HBV genotypes A or D, polymorphisms of HLA-DP are independently associated with both virological and serological response to PEG-IFN therapy at 6 months post-treatment.
Taken together, these results suggest that within the alveolar space, chronic alcohol exposure decreases KLF4 and ZIP4 expression and consequently decreases zinc transport into cells, which, in turn, impairs their function. Furthermore, the dynamic decrease in the relative influence of GM-CSF versus TGFβ1 could mediate the zinc deficiency and consequent cellular dysfunction that characterize the "alcoholic lung" phenotype.