Carriage of the C allele in three SNPs of TLR3 (rs3775290, rs3775291, and rs5743312), the C allele in TLR7 (rs3853839) in females only, and the C allele in TLR8 (rs3764879) in males only were significantly higher in SVC group than CHC group (P < 0.001), while carriage of the T allele in TLR7 (rs179008) in females only and the A allele in TLR8 (rs3764880) in both males and females were significantly higher in CHC infection more than SVC group (P < 0.001).
The expression of TRIF, TLR3, and MAVS were significantly (P < 0.05) down regulated in CHC (N = 46) compared to healthy controls (N = 12), in high viral load (N = 21) compared to low viral load (N = 25), in HAI (Histology activity index) 1-4 (N = 12), 5-8 (N = 16), 9-12 (N = 8), 13-18 (N = 5) compared to HAI 0 (N = 5) cases.
The expression levels of type I IFN (IFN-alpha, -beta) and TLR-3 mRNAs, which are known to induce type I IFN, were significantly higher in portal tract and liver parenchyma as compared to AIH and CHC.