title: Genetic polymorphisms in the immune response: A focus on kidney transplantation.
abstract: The modulation of the immune system following solid organ transplantation has made considerable progress with new immunosuppressive regimens and has considerably improved rejections rates. The improvement in long-term allograft survival is, however, modest. A complex network of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion, activation and co-stimulatory molecules are the frontline contributors to allograft rejection, which in turn determines the evolution of graft function and its long-term survival. Polymorphisms in these genes influence protein levels and presumably their signaling effects. In this review, we present a relevant panel of candidate genes related to the immune system in the context of solid organ transplantation; we discuss the most convincing reports of genetic associations with outcomes in renal transplantation and highlight the most promising loci among the vast body of literature.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis and Pharmacogenetics, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stojanova
authors.affiliation: Inserm, UMR 850, F-87000 Limoges, France; CHU Limoges, Service de Pharmacologie, Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, F-87042 Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pouché
authors.affiliation: Inserm, UMR 850, F-87000 Limoges, France; CHU Limoges, Service de Pharmacologie, Toxicologie et Pharmacovigilance, F-87042 Limoges, France; Univ. Limoges, Faculté of Pharmacie, Service de Pharmacologie, F-87025 Limoges, France. Electronic address: nicolas.picard@unilim.fr.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Picard
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Cytokines; Gene polymorphism; Immune response; Immunosuppressive therapy; Transplantation