Role of mannose-binding lectin-2 polymorphism in the development of acute cellular rejection after transplantation for hepatitis C virus-induced liver disease.
The development of liver and graft disease is suspected to be affected by genetic diversity. Mannose-binding lectin-2 (MBL-2) is an important immunomodulatory factor that is involved in complement activation. The aim of our study was to elucidate the role of MBL-2 genotypes after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver disease regarding the incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR), graft inflammation, fibrosis development, and antiviral treatment response.


METHODS
A group of 149 patients who underwent LT for HCV-induced liver disease were genotyped for MBL-2 (rs7096206; G/C) by TaqMan genotyping assay. We evaluated 518 post-LT protocol biopsies and at least 98 urgent liver biopsies regarding graft fibrosis stages, inflammation grades, and evidence for rejection within MBL-2 genotype groups.


RESULTS
No association of MBL-2 polymorphisms was observed regarding inflammation, fibrosis, and antiviral treatment outcome. However, the C allele of the MBL-2 gene (P = 0.001) and gender compatibility (P = 0.012) were factors significantly associated with the incidence of ACR.


CONCLUSIONS
MBL-2 polymorphisms and gender are involved in the development of ACR after LT. CC genotype and gender match may be regarded as risk factors for ACR in HCV-positive graft recipients. Further studies are needed to confirm and verify this observation in non-HCV groups as well.
Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charité Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany. dennis.eurich@charite.de
D
D
Eurich
S
S
Boas-Knoop
A
A
Yahyazadeh
R
R
Neuhaus
R
R
Somasundaram
M
M
Ruehl
G
G
Puhl
P
P
Neuhaus
U P
UP
Neumann
M
M
Bahra
D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012737:Sex Factors
C445619:MBL2 protein, human; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin