Cytokine gene polymorphisms in children successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression after liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Cytokine genetic polymorphisms have been associated with transplant outcome in some experimental and clinical studies, but the cytokine profile of patients who are clinically tolerant has not been investigated.


OBJECTIVE
Allelic variations in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (INF)-gamma, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were evaluated in patients successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression.


METHODS
Pediatric liver transplant recipients who were successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression (n=12) or who are on minimal immunosuppression (n=7) were genotyped. A control group of liver recipients who required maintenance immunosuppression served as a control group (n=37).


RESULTS
Compared to the control group, low TNF- alpha and high/intermediate IL-10 profiles were seen in all 12 children maintained off immunosuppression and in 6 of 7 children requiring minimal immunosuppression.


CONCLUSIONS
Children successfully maintained off immunosuppression are more likely to have a genetic predisposition toward low TNF-alpha and high/intermediate IL-10 production. Children maintained on minimal immunosuppression exhibit a similar cytokine profile to those successfully weaned.
Mazariegos
George V
GV
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Reyes
Jorge
J
Webber
Steve A
SA
Thomson
Angus W
AW
Ostrowski
Lynn
L
Abmed
Mamun
M
Pillage
Gina
G
Martell
Joan
J
Awad
Mohammed R
MR
Zeevi
Adriana
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012016:Reference Values; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma