Cytokine polymorphisms do not influence acute rejection in renal transplantation under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression.
BACKGROUND
Acute rejection remains an important cause of graft loss after renal transplantation. It has been suggested that cytokine genotyping may play a predictive role in identifying individuals who are at higher risk of acute rejection with a view to individualizing their immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to investigate any possible associations between acute rejection and certain cytokine polymorphisms.


METHODS
We genotyped 91 cadaveric renal transplant recipients on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and 84 of their donors. The cytokine polymorphisms studied were the following: tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-1032 T/C, TNF-alpha-865 C/A, TNF-alpha-859 G/A, interleukin (IL)1-R1-970 C/T, IL-10 haplotype [-1082, -819, -592], and IL-6-174 C/G.


RESULTS
We found no association between any polymorphism and the incidence of acute rejection. This was true for both the recipient and donor population.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytokine polymorphisms did not influence acute rejection in our study. We conclude that in the modern era of immunosuppression cytokine genotyping is not a significant predictor of acute rejection in renal transplantation.
Loucaidou
M
M
Renal and Transplant Unit, St Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom. mloucaidou@doctors.net.uk
Stitchbury
J
J
Lee
J
J
Borrows
R
R
Marshall
S E
SE
McLean
A G
AG
Cairns
T
T
Griffith
M
M
Hakim
N
N
Palmer
A
A
Papalois
V
V
Welsh
K
K
Taube
D
D
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus