title: Cytokine gene polymorphisms in children successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression after liver transplantation.
abstract: 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transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were evaluated in patients successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression.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  Pediatric liver transplant recipients who were successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression (n=12) or who are on minimal immunosuppression (n=7) were genotyped.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.
authors: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors: George V
authors: GV
authors: Mazariegos
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Reyes
authors: Steve A
authors: SA
authors: Webber
authors: Angus W
authors: AW
authors: Thomson
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Ostrowski
authors: Mamun
authors: M
authors: Abmed
authors: Gina
authors: G
authors: Pillage
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Martell
authors: Mohammed R
authors: MR
authors: Awad
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Zeevi
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma