RANTES/CCL5 polymorphisms as a risk factor for recurrent acute rejection.
BACKGROUND
The chemokine system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute rejection or atherosclerosis. Three polymorphisms in the promoter region of the chemokine RANTES (-403G/A, -28G/C, In1.1T/C) are associated with a different expression of this chemokine as well as the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we investigated the impact of these three polymorphisms on the outcome after renal transplantation.


METHODS
In 261 patients receiving their first kidney transplant, we genotyped the RANTES promoter polymorphisms (-403G/A, -28G/C, In1.1T/C) by real-time PCR.


RESULTS
For the RANTES -403G/A and for the intronic polymorphism In1.1T/C, we found a significantly higher rate of recurrent acute rejection episodes (-403G/A: 11.1 vs. 31.0%, In1.1T/C: 11.8 vs. 33.0%). For the overall rate of acute rejection, we observed no significant differences according to the RANTES promoter polymorphisms. The other tested variables (DGF, graft survival, renal function) were not associated with one of the three polymorphisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate a relevant role of RANTES in kidney transplantation, particularly for the occurrence of recurrent acute rejection. To clarify the role of the analysed polymorphisms for long-term survival, especially for the occurrence of cardiovascular events, larger studies in the future are needed.
Krüger
Bernd
B
Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. bernd.krueger@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Böger
Carsten A
CA
Obed
Aiman
A
Farkas
Stefan
S
Hoffmann
Ute
U
Banas
Bernhard
B
Fischereder
Michael
M
Krämer
Bernhard K
BK
D000328:Adult; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000235:genetics*; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
C483024:CCL5 protein, human; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D019742:Chemokines, CC