Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms and Viral Hepatitis Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the prevalence and role of cytokine gene polymorphism in susceptibility to viral hepatitis infections among kidney transplant recipients. Methods: The genetic polymorphisms of interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) G-174C, transforming growth factor beta ( TGF-β ) T+869C, interleukin 4 ( IL-4 ) C-590T, and interferon gamma ( IFN-γ ) T+874A cytokines from 100 kidney transplant recipients were evaluated by amplification refractory mutation system–polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Results: The IFN-γ +874 TT genotype ( P =.02) significantly correlated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in kidney transplant recipients. The IL-6 +174 GG genotype ( P =.01) was significantly associated with acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients without HCV infection. A significant relationship to the IFN-γ +874 AA genotype ( P =.04) was observed in kidney transplant recipients who did not experience transplant rejection and who are not infected with HBV. Also, a significant relationship was detected between the IL-6 and174 GC genotypes ( P =.03) with nonacute rejection in kidney transplant recipients. Conclusion: We confirm a significant association between the cytokine genetic polymorphisms discussed herein. This information could be helpful toward better prediction of acute kidney rejection with or without viral hepatitis infections. * HBV : hepatitis B virus HCV : hepatitis C virus; SNPs : single nucleotide polymorphisms; IFN -γ : interferon gamma; TGF -β : transforming growth factor beta; IL-6 : interleukin 6; IL-4 : interleukin 4; HBsAg : hepatitis B surface antigen; Th1 : T helper 1; Th2 : T helper 2; OKT3 : ortho kung T3; PCR-RFLP : polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism; RT : reverse transcriptase; ORs : odds ratios; CIs : confidence intervals; ARMS : amplification refractory mutation system