Single nucleotide polymorphism of CC chemokine ligand 5 promoter gene in recipients may predict the risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease and its severity after allogeneic transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Leukocyte trafficking, regulated by chemokine ligands and their receptors, involves in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) including CC ligand 5 (CCL5) or CC receptor 5 (CCR5). The current study analyzed the association of acute or chronic GVHD (cGVHD) with the CCR5/CCL5 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of recipients and donors.


METHODS
We evaluated the SNPs of CCL5 promoter gene at position -28 (rs1800825)/-403 (rs2107538) and CCR5 gene at 59029 (rs1799987) in 72 recipients and donors using polymerase chain reaction/RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) methods.


RESULTS
With a median follow up of 924 days for survivors (range 48-2,360 days), the CG genotype of CCL5 gene at position -28 in recipients was significantly associated with a higher incidence of cGVHD (P=0.004), extensive cGVHD (P=0.038 by Seattle's criteria), and severe grade of cGVHD at presentation (P=0.017 by prognostic grading by Apkek et al.) compared to CC genotype. In terms of haplotype analysis, the recipients with AG haplotype of CCL5 gene also showed a higher incidence of cGVHD (P=0.003), extensive cGVHD (P=0.023), and more severe grade of cGVHD (P=0.020). However, there was no association of CCL5/CCR5 SNPs with acute GVHD. The donors' genotype of CCL5/CCR5 was not associated with the risk of cGVHD.


CONCLUSIONS
The CCL5 promoter gene polymorphism of recipients was associated with the risk of cGVHD and its severity. The current study suggested an involvement of CCL5 in leukocyte trafficking for the development of cGVHD.
Kim
Dong Hwan
DH
Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. drkiim@medimail.co.kr
Jung
Hee Du
HD
Lee
Nan Young
NY
Sohn
Sang Kyun
SK
D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005838:Genotype; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C483024:CCL5 protein, human; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents