Author/Authors :
Wu, Liming Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation - Ministry of Public Health - Hangzhou, China , Chen, Lin School of Medicine - Zhejiang University - Hangzhou, China , Zhou, Lin Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation - Ministry of Public Health - Hangzhou, China , Xie, Haiyang Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation - Ministry of Public Health - Hangzhou, China , Wei, Bajin School of Medicine - Zhejiang University - Hangzhou, China , Yin, Shengyong Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation - Ministry of Public Health - Hangzhou, China , Ye, Yufu School of Medicine - Zhejiang University - Hangzhou, China , Fang, Weijia Department of Medical Oncology - First Affiliated Hospital - School of Medicine - Zhejiang University - Hangzhou, China , Zheng, Shusen Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation - Ministry of Public Health - Hangzhou, China
Abstract :
Background: There is growing evidence suggesting that interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays a
crucial role in viral clearance and disease pathogenesis, and that single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) within the gene may influence its production.
Objectives: To investigate the potential association of two polymorphisms ( 137G/C and
607C/A) in the promoter region of the IL-18 gene with the risk of HBV recurrence after
liver transplantation (LT) in Han Chinese patients.
Patients and Methods: IL-18 promoter genotyping was performed by the snapshot technique
in 125 patients with HBV-related end-stage liver disease (ESLD) receiving LT in
our center from 2004 to 2008.
Results: Among the study samples, no significant association between the IL-18 promoter
polymorphisms ( 137G/C and 607C/A) or haplotypes and HBV recurrence after
LT was found.
Conclusions: The polymorphisms ( 137G/C and 607C/A) in the promoter region of the IL-
18 gene may not play a key role in HBV recurrence after LT in Han Chinese population,
and may not be suitable predictors for HBV recurrence in clinical practice.
Keywords :
Interleukin-18 , Genetic polymorphism , Hepatitis , Recurrence , Transplantation
