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Outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment depend on viral and host genetic factors. Here we use human genome-wide genotyping arrays and new whole-genome HCV viral sequencing technologies to perform a systematic genome-to-genome study of 542 individuals who were chronically infected with HCV, predominantly genotype 3. We show that both alleles of genes encoding human leukocyte antigen molecules and genes encoding components of the interferon lambda innate immune system drive viral polymorphism. Additionally, we show that IFNL4 genotypes determine HCV viral load through a mechanism dependent on a specific amino acid residue in the HCV NS5A protein. These findings highlight the interplay between the innate immune system and the viral genome in HCV control.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/ng.3835

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Genet

Publication Date

05/2017

Volume

49

Pages

666 - 673

Keywords

Adaptive Immunity, Alleles, Genetic Variation, Genome, Human, Genome, Viral, Genotype, HLA Antigens, Hepacivirus, Hepatitis C, Chronic, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Interleukins, Logistic Models, Principal Component Analysis, Viral Load, Viral Nonstructural Proteins