Association of SOCS6 Gene Polymorphisms and Promoter Hypermethylation With the Progression of Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major risk factor for liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genes involved in the JAK/STAT signalling pathway play a critical role in the pathogenesis of HBV-related liver diseases, especially HCC. Although SOCS1 and SOCS3 have been extensively studied, the role of SOCS6 in HBV infection and disease progression remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between SOCS6 gene polymorphisms and promoter methylation with HBV-related liver diseases. This study examined SOCS6 gene polymorphisms in a cohort of 335 patients with HBV-related liver diseases (120 with CHB, 100 with LC and 115 with HCC) and 120 healthy controls (HCs). In addition, SOCS6 promoter methylation was analysed in tumour and adjacent tissues from 41 HCC patients. We found that the rs2062345GA genotype and the dominant genetic model were associated with an increased risk of HBV infection and HCC. The rs7228049GA genotype increased the risk of LC and HCC. Conversely, the rs7228049AA genotype and the recessive model were associated with a reduced risk of CHB, LC and HCC. The SNPs rs2062345, rs7228049 and rs11151580 were related to several clinical parameters such as AST, albumin and prothrombin levels, platelet counts in LC and HCC patients. Promoter hypermethylation of SOCS6 was more prevalent in tumour tissues, especially in larger tumours with poorer histological differentiation (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). SOCS6 gene variants and promoter methylation are associated with susceptibility and progression of HBV-related liver diseases. These findings suggest their potential utility as useful prognostic biomarkers for HCC.