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Polymorphisms in the T cell regulatory gene cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 influence the rate of acute rejection after liver transplantation

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Kaushik Agarwal, Professor Chris DayORCiD

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Abstract

Background: The cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene encodes for a membrane bound (mCTLA-4) and a soluble (sCTLA-4) isoform, which are both involved in regulation of T cell function. The CTLA-4 +49A/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) influences expression of mCTLA-4; +6230G/A SNP affects the production of sCTLA-4. Aim: To examine whether these functional SNPs influence the rate of rejection after liver transplantation. Patients and methods: Liver graft recipients (n = 483) were genotyped for both SNPs, and haplotypes were reconstructed. Association with rejection was tested by the log rank test using the Kaplan-Meier method with time to the first acute rejection episode as outcome. Multiple analysis of SNPs together with demographic factors was performed by Cox regression. Results: Three haplotypes were observed in the cohort: +49A/+6230A, +49A/+6230G, and +49G/+6230G. The +49A/+6230G haplotype was significantly and dose dependency associated with acute rejection (p = 0.01). Of the demographic factors tested, only underlying liver disease was significantly associated with rejection. Adjusted for underlying liver disease, each additional +49A/+6230G haplotype allele resulted in a significantly higher risk of acute rejection (risk ratio 1.34 (95% confidence interval 1.04-1.72); p = 0.02). Patients who lacked this haplotype had the lowest, carriers an intermediate, and homozygotes the highest risk of acute rejection. Conclusion: The CTLA-4 +49A/+6230G haplotype, which encodes for normal mCTLA-4 expression but reduced sCTLA-4 production, is a co-dominant risk allele for acute rejection after clinical liver transplantation. This implies that even under immunosuppression, CTLA-4 is critically involved in the regulation of the human immune response to allogeneic grafts.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Tapirdamaz O, Pravica V, Metselaar HJ, Hansen B, Moons L, Van Meurs JBJ, Hutchinson IV, Shaw J, Agarwal K, Adams DH, Day CP, Kwekkeboom J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Gut

Year: 2006

Volume: 55

Issue: 6

Pages: 863-868

ISSN (print): 0017-5749

ISSN (electronic): 1468-3288

Publisher: BMJ Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gut.2005.080937

DOI: 10.1136/gut.2005.080937

PubMed id: 16299026

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