Clinically, significantly lower NTCP protein expression was correlated with more active hepatocyte proliferation in CHB patients with severe active necroinflammation and better antiviral treatment outcome.
Here, we aimed to investigate the association of NTCP, FXRα, HNF1α, HNF4α, and TDP2 genetic polymorphisms with the natural course of CHB and antiviral treatment response.
We found that the frequency of the S267F variant of NTCP in CHB patients and controls was 2.7% and 5.7% (P = 0.031), respectively, and that those who had S267F variant were less susceptible to chronic HBV infection.
Meta-analysis was executed among 14591 CHBs and 12396 HCs to determine the association between NTCP polymorphisms and HBV infection, cirrhosis or hepatocarcinogenesis.