The interleukin-6-174 promoter polymorphism is associated with a risk of development of Kaposi's sarcoma in renal transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), an angio-proliferative inflammation lesion, is frequently secondary to clinical immunosuppression such as after renal transplantation. KS growth is promoted by the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and is also correlated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection.


METHODS
In a sample of 15 renal transplant patients with KS and 40 patients without KS, we explored the influence of genetic differences in the production of IL-6 by promoter polymorphisms G-174C as well as the correlation with HHV-8 DNA.


RESULTS
The G allele homozygotes, which are associated with increased IL-6 production, had increased KS incidence (p=0.008). Therefore increased IL-6 production constitutes a risk factor which should be considered in clinical immunosuppression.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the HHV-8 infection, the interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism G-174C is associated with a risk of development of KS in renal transplant recipients.
Gazouli
Maria
M
Department of Histology-Embryology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. mgazouli@med.uoa.gr
Zavos
George
G
Papaconstantinou
Ioannis
I
Lukas
John C
JC
Zografidis
Anastassios
A
Boletis
John
J
Kostakis
Alkiviadis
A
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015850:Interleukin-6