title: Polymorphism of the IL-18 and CD40 genes and Liver Transplant Outcome in Iranian Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules are important factors determining the outcome of transplantation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of IL-18 and CD40 gene polymorphisms on the outcome of liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  150 liver transplant recipients were included in this study. Alleles and genotypes frequencies for IL-18 (rs1946519) and CD40 (rs1883832) were determined in 28 acutely rejected (AR group) and 122 non-acutely rejected (non-AR group) liver transplant recipients. IL-18 and CD40 gene polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR-RFLP methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant associations between IL-18 and CD40 polymorphism with acute rejection in liver transplant patients. IL-18TT and TG genotypes had a significant association with rejection in women compared to men. After grouping the liver recipients according to living vs cadaver donors, a significant association was found between CC genotype of CD40 and rejection in male living donor recipients. IL-18 TG genotype had a significant association with rejection in female cadaver donor recipients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no correlation between all genotype and alleles of IL-80 and CD40 polymorphism and the outcome of liver transplantation. However, gender and type of donor affect the correlation between all genotype and alleles of IL-18 and CD40, and the outcome of liver transplantation.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hejr
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikeghbalian
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geramizadeh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yaghobi
keywords: Graft rejection; Interleukin-18; Liver transplantation; Polymorphism