Effect of macrophage expressor gene 1 polymorphisms (RS7944135, RS171941, RS6462008) on chronicity in high-risk HPV

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the macrophage expressor gene 1 on the chronicity of high-risk HPV. Material and Methods: This prospective study involved patients with high-risk HPV infections who presented to the Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics outpatient clinic and underwent a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. The study group comprised 55 cases with persistent high-risk HPV infection, while the control group included 55 cases that were HPV-negative. Via a questionnaire, data on sociodemographic history, sexual life history, obstetric history, and contraception methods were collected and recorded. The single nucleotide polymorphisms RS7944135, RS6462008, and RS171941 of the macrophage expressor gene 1 were analyzed and statistically compared between the groups. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding sociodemographic, obstetric, and sexual life histories (p>0.05). Likewise, no significant differences were found between the two groups concerning the RS7944135, RS6462008, and RS171941 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the macrophage expressor gene 1 (p=0.975, p=0.656, and p=0.957, respectively). Additionally, the comparison between the most common wild type and other variants of these three single nucleotide polymorphisms showed no significant differences between the groups (p=0.500, p=0.299, and p=0.576, respectively). Conclusion: The single nucleotide polymorphisms of the macrophage expressor gene 1 showed no significant association with the chronicity of high-risk HPV. As further research emerges in this field, we anticipate more definitive insights elucidating the variations in clinical manifestations resulting from the chronicization or eradication of high-risk HPV among individuals.