Interferon (IFN) lambdas are important specific components of the mucosal innate immune response. The IFN lambda 4 (IFNL4) dinucleotide polymorphism (ΔG/TT) determines the IFN lambdas and related Interferon-stimulated genes activation, in HCV and other chronic infections. Our group first reported that IFN Lambda response was impaired in high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infections and in precancerous lesions. Accordingly, we sought to evaluate the possible role of the IFNL4 polymorphism in determining HPV infection outcome. The ΔG/TT alleles were not differently distributed in 221 women with high- or low-risk HPV infection, with HPV infection clearance or persistence, and with abnormal cytology.
Keywords: HPV; IFN lambda 4; Persistent infection; Single-nucleotide polymorphisms; Type III IFN.