The cytokine gene polymorphisms in patients with chronic kidney graft rejection

Chronic allograft rejection remains an important cause of morbidity after kidney transplantation. The aim of the study was to examine the association between IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-a promoter polymorphisms and chronic kidney allograft rejection. The study included 64 patients with long-term stable graft function and 62 with chronic allograft nephropathy. Among patients with chronic allograft nephropathy a statistically significant prevalence of the IL-6 CC genotype associated with low IL-6 expression was observed (p < 0.01, OR 3.18; 95% CI 1.27-8.15). There were no statistically significant differences in distribution of IL-2 and TNF-alpha genotypes between patients with stable graft function and chronic allograft rejection. The results of present study suggest that the genetically determined low IL-6 production may be the risk factor of chronic allograft nephropathy development. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.