Recipient IL-6-572C/G genotype is associated with reduced incidence of acute rejection following liver transplantation

Abstract

Objective Acute rejection resulting from alloimmune responses is a major risk factor affecting patient survival following liver transplantation. Since interleukin (IL)-6 can mediate acute rejection, the association between IL-6 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and incidence of acute rejection in liver transplant recipients was investigated. Methods Patients who received liver transplant between January 2005 and December 2010 were typed for IL6-572C/G (rs1800796) polymorphisms using the snapshot technique. Association between genotype and acute rejection was analysed using the SNP Statistics website: http://bioinfo.iconcologia.net/snpstats/start.htm . Allelic and genotypic distributions for rs1800796 were compared among 335 patients with or without acute rejection within the first 6 months following liver transplant. Results Incidence of acute rejection was 11.94%. A heterozygous CG genotype for IL6-572C/G was associated with a lower acute rejection rate compared with homozygous CC or GG genotypes. Conclusion IL6-572 CG genotype may be related to protection from acute rejection following liver transplant in Han Chinese patients.