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IL-1B and IL-1RN gene polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis: relationship with protein plasma levels and response to therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association of interleukin (IL-1) gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to, and severity of, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, comparing them with the genotype distribution in healthy controls. Also, to assess the influence of IL1-B and IL1RN gene polymorphism on IL-1beta/IL-1Ra plasma levels and response to therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We tested the allelic distribution of IL-1B (-511 and +3953) and IL-1RN (variable number of tandem repeats) gene polymorphism in 126 RA patients and 178 healthy blood donors (HBDs). The patients were categorized into two subgroups in relation to the response to methotrexate (MTX) therapy. Group A included 70 RA patients in stable partial remission after 6 months of MTX treatment (MTX-R). Group B included 56 RA patients with active disease despite MTX therapy. This group received antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) biological drugs and were defined MTX-nonresponders (MTX-NR). RESULTS: None of the two IL-1B (-511 and +3953) gene polymorphisms were significantly different in frequency between RA patients and healthy controls. We observed an increased frequency of the rare allele IL1RN*3 in RA patients with active disease, not responding to MTX therapy (MTX-NR) (4.5%) vs MTX-R (3.6%) and healthy controls (0.8%). Interestingly, RA patients whose genotypes included the IL1RN*long allele (haplotype long-C-T) showed the worse response to MTX. HBDs harboring the IL1RN*2/2 genotype showed significantly lower levels of plasma IL1-Ra, but comparable levels of IL-1beta with regard to subjects with the presence of the IL1RN* long allele. Furthermore, the presence of the TT IL-1B +3953 genotype was associated with lower plasma levels of IL1-Ra, both in HBDs and in RA patients. Carriers of the IL1RN*2 allele responded better to infliximab therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide evidence of an association between the IL1RN*long allele and RA, the strongest association being observed in RA patients with an aggressive disease resistant to MTX treatment.

Adult↗

Impact of cytokine gene polymorphism on cardiovascular risk in renal transplant recipients.

Cardiovascular events are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Given the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, the contribution of functional polymorphisms of cytokines to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) was assessed in RTR in this study. Polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene [-308 (G-->A), -238 (G-->A)], interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene [-1082(A-->G), -819 (T-->C), -592 (A-->C)], transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) gene [codon 10 (T-->C), codon 25 (G-->C)], carotis intima media thickness (CIMT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and serum lipoprotein homocysteine level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum fibrinogen level of RTR were determined. Seventy-two RTR (26 cadaveric allograft, 46 living-related allograft, 43 male, 29 female) were included in this study. LVMI were similar in TNF-alpha, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 genotypes. Right and left CIMT were higher in TT genotype (n = 16) than CT (n = 46) and CC (n = 10) genotypes of TGF-beta1 codon 10 (T-->C) gene polymorphism (RCIMT, 7.7 +/- 2.2 mm vs. 7.0 +/- 1.4 mm vs. 5.9 +/- 1.4 mm, P = 0.025; LCIMT, 8.5 +/- 2.5 mm vs. 7.0 +/- 1.3 mm vs. 6.1 +/- 1.2 mm, P = 0.002). Lipoprotein (a) level of TT genotype (35.5 +/- 22.5 mg/dl) was higher than CC (4.1 +/- 2.8 mg/dl) and CT (20.4 +/- 11.2 mg/dl) genotypes of TGF-beta1 codon 10 (T-->C) gene polymorphism (P = 0.037). High producers of cytokine IL-10 -1082 [GG (n = 22) vs. AA + AG (n = 50)] and low producers of TGF-beta codon 25 [GC + CC (n = 17) vs. GG (n = 55)] had lower IMT of carotid artery but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). The CIMT of renal transplant patients was similar in IL-10 (-819, -592) and TNF-alpha (-308, -238) genotypes. No difference was observed in 24-h ambulatory blood pressure levels, serum lipoproteins, plasma homocysteine level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum CRP, serum fibrinogen level in IL-10, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 genotypes. Besides the well-known factors, TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms might play a role in CVD in RTR even at early stages of asymptomatic atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms influence susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Taiwanese population.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D and its receptor have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. We have therefore studied the influence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms on susceptibility to type 1 diabetes, and rates of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) autoantibody and islet cell autoantibody (ICA512) positivity. SUBJECTS: AND MEASUREMENTS One hundred and fifty-seven type 1 diabetic patients and 248 unrelated normal controls were recruited for this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes. All type 1 diabetic patients and controls were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), for three restriction sites in the VDR gene, BsmI, ApaI and TaqI. The chi2 test was used to compare the frequency of the VDR gene polymorphisms in patients and normal controls. The association of VDR gene polymorphisms in type 1 diabetes with the presence of GAD65 and ICA512 autoantibodies were also examined using the chi2 test. RESULTS: The allele frequency of the BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms, but not TaqI polymorphism, differed between patients and controls (BsmI P = 0.015; ApaI P = 0.018; TaqI P = 0.266). However, after correction for the three different polymorphisms tested, only the BsmI was significant (pc = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms were associated with type 1 diabetes in a Taiwanese population. However, functional studies are needed to establish the role of the vitamin D receptor in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Adolescent↗

[Epidemiology studies on associations between gene polymorphisms and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

The incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been increasing in last twenty years. However, the etiology of NHL is not unclear. Gene polymorphisms were demonstrated to play important roles in human susceptibility to diseases such as cancers. This paper reviews epidemiology studies of associations between polymorphisms in genes involved in immunity regulation, chemical and folate metabolism, DNA repair, cell cycle and oncogenes and NHL. Although some positive associations between gene polymorphisms and NHL incidence risk were observed, more epidemiology studies are necessary. In future studies, haplotype tagging SNPs and gene-environmenal interactions should be identified.

China↗

Heterozygote AG variant of -596 A/G IL-6 gene polymorphism is a marker for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

The aim of the study was to investigate possible associations of IL-6 gene polymorphisms (-596 A/G and -174 C/G) with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). In the case-control study, genotype distributions and allelic frequencies in two promoter IL-6 gene polymorphisms in the group of 63 Czech patients with CTCL were compared to those of 105 control non-CTCL subjects matched for age and sex. The IL-6 gene polymorphisms were determined by PCR with following restriction analysis. A significant difference of -596 A/G IL-6 genotype distribution was found between the CTCL patients and the controls (P = 0.002) with almost threefold odds ratio for the heterozygote (AG) genotype in CTCL patients (OR = 2.64, P = 0.002). No significant differences in genotype distribution and/or allelic frequency of functional -174 C/G IL-6 gene polymorphism were observed. The double heterozygote AGCG of both IL-6 promoter polymorphisms was associated with CTCL (OR = 2.24, 95% confidence interval 1.17-4.28, P = 0.01). Thus, the heterozygote variant of -596 A/G promoter IL-6 polymorphism could be considered as a genotype marker for CTCL.

Adult↗

Association of the gene polymorphisms of platelet glycoprotein Ia and IIb/IIIa with myocardial infarction and extent of coronary artery disease in the Korean population.

Platelet membrane receptor glycoproteins (GP) are essential for the platelet activation process, and the genetic polymorphisms in the genes that encode platelet glycoproteins have been proposed to influence the risk of acute coronary syndrome and atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the role of GPIa, HPA-1 and HPA-3 polymorphisms as putative risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI) and the extent of coronary artery disease. We selected 1,073 subjects who underwent coronary angiography; 242 had normal or minimal coronary atherosclerosis, and 831 patients had significant coronary artery disease (CAD). The genotype was determined by the methods of single base extension for C807T/G873A polymorphisms of GPIa, and restriction fragment length polymorphism for HPA-1 and HPA-3. The C807T and G873A polymorphisms of GPIa showed complete linkage in the Korean population. For HPA-1 gene polymorphism, only the HPA-1a/a (PlA1/A1) genotype was observed in 192 selected subjects from our study population. The distribution of GPIa (C807T/G873A) and HPA-3 genotypes did not differ significantly between normal subjects and CAD subjects. No significant association between MI and both gene polymorphisms was present. However, for the subgroup analysis of young male patients whose age was less than 56 years, the genotype frequency of HPA-3b/b was significantly lower in patients with MI compared to patients without a history of MI (7.5% vs. 20.0%, p=0.04). The odds ratio for HPA-3 b homozygosity versus the HPA-3a carrier was 0.32 (95% CI, 0.10- 0.99, p=0.04). Conclusively, HPA-3 polymorphism was associated with MI in Korean individuals younger than 56 years of age, but other polymorphisms of GP, which we studied, were not associated with both the extent of coronary atherosclerosis or MI.

Aged↗

Rapid genotyping of haemostatic gene polymorphisms using the 5' nuclease assay.

Hemostatic gene polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with arterial and venous thrombotic disease. To date these polymorphisms have mainly been detected by labor-intensive conventional gel based methods. Aim of the present study was to design and optimize high throughput 5' nuclease assays for the detection of a set of 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes of importance for hemostasis: plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 -675 4G>5G, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor Ala147Thr and 1,542C>G, beta-fibrinogen -455G>A, von Willebrand factor -1,051A>G, factor VII Arg353Gln, factor XIII Val34Leu, prothrombin 20,210G>A, tissue factor pathway inhibitor -287T>C, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 1,298A>C. Specificity of each genotyping assay was confirmed by sequence-based typing and reproducibility was evaluated by repeated genotyping. The genotyping protocols presented here may serve as a valuable tool for clinical researchers interested in exploring associations between these SNPs and thrombotic disease.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism may influence blood loss in a geriatric population undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism is associated with perioperative blood loss in hip arthroplasty in a geriatric population. DESIGN: A case-control study of subjects consecutively undergoing total hip arthroplasty. SETTING: A department of orthopedic surgery in Italy. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred five patients, mean age +/- standard deviation 68.6 +/- 10.4, undergoing total hip arthroplasty. MEASUREMENTS: ACE gene polymorphism was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction. Decrement of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) was calculated as the difference between the preoperative and the lowest postoperative value, measured 1, 2, and 3 days after surgery. Total blood loss was calculated as the sum of intra- and postoperative blood loss. RESULTS: Patients carrying the deletion homozygous and insertion/deletion heterozygous genotypes of the ACE gene show a higher decrement of Hb (P <.01) and Ht (P <.01) and higher total blood loss (P <.007) after hip surgery than subjects carrying the insertion (II) homozygous. The role of ACE gene polymorphism seems hypertension independent. Logistic regression analysis showed that II genotype reduces total blood loss. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study evaluating the distribution of ACE gene genotypes in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty and the first investigating the association between bleeding and ACE gene polymorphism. Our data suggest that II genotype is associated with lower total blood loss.

Aged↗

Positive association of CYP11B2 gene polymorphism with genetic predisposition to essential hypertension.

Predispositions to essential hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are possibly associated with gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system. Gene polymorphisms of angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme genes have been suggested to be risk factors for hypertension and myocardial infarction. Concerning the polymorphism of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene, earlier studies have shown inconsistent results in terms of its relation to hypertension. In the present case-control study, we investigated the association of -344T/C polymorphism in the promoter region of human CYP11B2 gene with genetic predisposition to hypertension. The genotype of -344T/C polymorphism was determined in essential hypertension subjects (n=250) and normotensive subjects (n=221). The distributions of three genotypes (TT, TC, and CC) were significantly different between the hypertensive and the normotensive groups (chi(2)=9.61, P=0.008). Namely, the frequency of C allele was higher in the hypertensive patients than in the normotensive subjects (34.2 vs 26.5%, P=0.010). Our data suggest that the -344C allele of CYP11B2 gene polymorphism is associated with the genetic predisposition to develop essential hypertension.

Adult↗

The lack of relationship between an endothelin-1 gene polymorphism (Ala288ser) and incidence of hypertension: a retrospective cohort study among Japanese workers.

BACKGROUND: Some case-control association studies revealed the relationship between some endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene polymorphisms and blood pressure. Because no report was available about the relationship between any ET-1 gene polymorphism and incidence of hypertension, we examined the relationship between novel ET-1 gene polymorphism (G862T / Ala288Ser in exon 5) and incidence of hypertension by a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The subjects were Japanese workers at a company in Shimane Prefecture in Japan. The polymorphism with genome DNA extracted from the blood of the workers was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction confronting two pair primers method. According to the results of two regular health checkups with a 6-year interval, the study population was divided into two groups by blood pressure and antihypertensive treatment in 1998, after excluding people who had hypertension in 1992. RESULTS: There were 133 (93 males and 40 females) incidences of hypertension observed among the study population of 922 (540 males and 382 females). In the univariate analysis, odds ratios of Ala/Ser and Ser/Ser against Ala/Ala were 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI]): 0.7-1.4) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.4-1.6), respectively. In the multivariate analysis adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, serum total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, and smoking and drinking habits, odds ratios for Ala/Ser and Ser/Ser against Ala/Ala were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.7-1.4) and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.4-1.5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ET-1 gene polymorphism in this study did not seem to be associated with the incidence of hypertension among the Japanese workers.

Adult↗

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism affects onset pattern of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is recognized as a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Vitamin D compounds are known to suppress T-cell activation by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR); and thus, VDR gene polymorphisms may be related to T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. We, therefore, investigated a VDR gene polymorphism in type 1 diabetes. We examined the VDR gene Bsm I polymorphism in 203 type 1 diabetic patients and 222 controls, and the association between the VDR gene polymorphism and type 1 diabetes and their onset pattern. We found a significantly higher frequency of B allele in type 1 diabetics overall, compared with controls (P = 0.0010). Moreover, there was a significant difference in B-allele frequency between acute-onset type 1 diabetics and controls (P = 0.0002), whereas this difference was not observed between slow-onset type 1 diabetics and controls. Regardless of the existence of islet-associated autoantibody, we found a significant difference in B-allele frequency between acute-onset type 1 diabetics and controls. In conclusion, we found an association between a VDR gene polymorphism and acute-onset type 1 diabetes. Assessment of this VDR gene polymorphism may contribute to prediction of the onset pattern in individuals with a high risk of type 1 diabetes.

Acute Disease↗

Cytokine gene polymorphisms: association with psoriatic arthritis susceptibility and severity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether functional cytokine gene polymorphisms influence disease susceptibility and phenotype in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: DNA was obtained from 147 PsA patients and 389 controls. Seven functional proinflammatory (interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] +3953, IL-6 -174, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha] -308, TNFbeta +252) and antiinflammatory (IL-10 -1082, IL-10 -592, IL-1 receptor antagonist [intron 2, 86 bp, variable-number tandem repeat]) gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays. RESULTS: No significant difference in genotype frequencies was observed between the control and the PsA patient populations, and no association with Steinbrocker functional class, disease classification (polyarticular or oligoarticular), presence of spinal involvement, or age at PsA onset was observed. The presence of joint erosions was significantly associated with the TNFalpha -308 and TNFbeta +252 polymorphisms (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0017, respectively). Frequencies of the TNFalpha -308 and TNFbeta +252 genotypes were also significantly different (P = 0.0078 and P = 0.0486, respectively) in a group of progressors (patients with early PsA in whom the number of joint erosions in the hands and feet increased over a median interval of 24 months) compared with a group of nonprogressors. Age at psoriasis onset was significantly associated with the TNFbeta +252 and TNFalpha -308 polymorphisms (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.0081, respectively). The TNFB2B2 and TNFalpha -308 AA genotypes were associated with the earliest mean ages at psoriasis onset. CONCLUSION: The TNFalpha -308 and TNFbeta +252 polymorphisms were significantly associated with age at psoriasis onset, presence of joint erosions in PsA, and progression of joint erosions in early PsA. TNF gene polymorphisms may be useful prognostic markers in PsA, and these results support the rationale for using anti-TNF treatment in patients with severe, progressive PsA.

Adolescent↗

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism in Indian stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In view of the prevailing controversy about the role of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation in stroke and paucity of studies from India, this study has been undertaken to evaluate MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism in consecutive ischemic stroke patients and correlate these with folic acid, homocysteine (Hcy) and conventional risk factors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Ischemic stroke patients prospectively evaluated in a tertiary care teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computerized tomography proven ischemic stroke patients were prospectively evaluated including clinical, family history of stroke, dietary habits and addictions. Their fasting and postprandial blood sugar, lipid profile, vitamin B12, folic acid and MTHFR gene analysis were done. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: MTHFR gene polymorphism was correlated with serum folic acid, Vitamin B12 and Hcy levels; family history of stroke in first-degree relatives; and dietary habits; employing Chi-square test. RESULTS: There were 58 patients with ischemic stroke, whose mean age was 50 (4-79) years; among them, 10 were females. MTHFR gene polymorphism was present in 19 (32.8%) patients, 3 were homozygous and 16 were heterozygous. Both serum folate and B12 levels were low in 29 (50%) patients and Hcy in 48 (83%). Hypertension was present in 28 (48%) patients, diabetes in 12 (21%), hyperlipidemia in 52 (90%), smoking in 17 (29%), obesity in 1 (1.7%) and family history of stroke in first-degree relatives in 13 (22.4%). There was no significant relationship of MTHFR gene polymorphism with folic acid, B12, Hcy levels, dietary habits and number of risk factors. Vitamin B12 level was low in vegetarians (P<0.003). In 3 patients with MTHFR TT alleles, Hcy was elevated in all 3, low folic acid in 2 and family history of stroke in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: MTHFR gene polymorphism was found in one-third of patients with ischemic stroke and was insignificantly associated with higher frequency of elevated Hcy.

Adolescent↗

IL-18 gene polymorphisms affect IL-18 production capability by monocytes.

We previously demonstrated a significant association between IL-18 gene polymorphism 105A/C and asthma. In this study, we investigated the relationship of IL-18 gene polymorphism to IL-18 production capability by monocytes. The frequency of gene polymorphisms including IL-18-105A/C and IL-18--137G/C was determined by PCR analyses. The IL-18 production by monocytes stimulated without or with LPS or A23187+PMA for 1day was measured by ELISA. The produced IL-18 spontaneously or in response to A23187+PMA by monocytes was significantly higher for volunteers with 105A/A genotype than with 105A/C genotype. Similarly, the production capability of IL-18 by monocytes from volunteers with -137G/G genotype was significantly higher than that with -137G/C genotype and significant linkage disequilibrium was observed between 105A/C and -137G/C polymorphism. Thus, the genetic capacity to produce more IL-18 in response to stimuli may affect the onset of asthma.

Asthma↗

No association between renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and early and long-term allograft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Genes determining the activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may be alloantigen-independent factors influencing kidney allograft function. We determined if gene polymorphisms of the RAS are associated with early and long-term post-transplantation graft dysfunction in 405 Caucasian kidney recipients with graft survivals of >2 years. METHODS: We calculated the slopes of serum creatinine(-1)/year and urinary protein excretion/year to follow graft function over time. Subjects were genotyped for the deletion (D) polymorphism of the gene encoding angiotensin I-converting enzyme, the angiotensin II-receptor type1 gene 1166A-C polymorphism and the M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene. RESULTS: The frequencies of factors predicting graft function were similar in patients with different genotypes. None of the polymorphisms influenced need for dialysis in the first week after transplantation, occurrence of at least one rejection episode, the slope of serum creatinine(-1)/year or the slope of urinary protein excretion/year. Results were independent of blood pressure or the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers or calcineurin inhibitors. The combination of genotypes did not influence the indicators of early and long-term graft dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the investigated gene polymorphisms of the RAS in kidney allograft recipients nor their combinations have an impact on early and long-term graft dysfunction.

Adult↗

The clinical significance of the POLG gene polymorphism in male infertility.

Based on association studies, an increasing number of gene polymorphisms have been proposed as modulators of spermatogenesis. Interestingly, a clear cause-effect relationship between a polymorphism of the POLG gene and oligo(astheno)zoospermia was recently described. The POLG gene contains a polymorphic CAG repeat, and the presence of a homozygous mutant (not10/not10 CAG) genotype was found only in infertile men. In the present study, a large number of infertile patients and normospermic men of Italian origin were studied to define the effect of POLG genotypes on spermatogenic potential and whether the homozygous mutant is specific for spermatogenic disturbances. The mutated genotype was found at the same frequency in both infertile and normospermic men. Mean values of sperm parameters such as sperm count, motility, and morphology did not differ significantly between carriers of the three different genotypes. Our study failed to confirm any influence of the POLG gene polymorphism on the efficiency of the spermatogenesis. More importantly, considering that the homozygous mutant genotype has been found in normospermic fertile men, the analysis of the CAG repeat tract of the POLG gene does not appear to have any clinical diagnostic value.

Alleles↗

[Study on the relationship between tumour necrosis factor gene polymorphism and prognosis in the patients with renal cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Clinical significance of polymorphism of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) genes encoded on the short arm of the 6th chromosome in the patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not been evaluated well so far. We studied on the TNF genes polymorphism of RCC focusing on the relationship between the genetic polymorphism and the prognosis. METHODS: The subjects were seventy-three patients with RCC treated at our hospitals during the past 20 years. The genomic DNA was examined by the methods of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) from frozen peripheral blood of these patients. The items examined were the genetic polymorphisms of TNF-alpha (alpha 1, alpha 2) and TNF-beta (beta 1, beta 2), and we tried to study on the prognostic outcome of RCC based upon each zygote of TNF. RESULTS: 1) The proportion of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta polymorphisms: We observed TNF-alpha 1/1 homozygote in 71 patients (97.3%). As to TNF-beta polymorphism, we observed TNF-beta 2/2 homozygote in 33 patients (45.2%), TNF-beta 1/2 heterozygote in 31 (42.5%) and TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote in 9 (12.3%). The proportion of TNF-beta polymorphism was almost the same as that of healthy Japanese. 2) PROGNOSIS: Regarding the 17-year survival, all patients with TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote were alive, and we observed a significantly favourable prognosis in the patients with TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote compared with other zygotes of TNF-beta polymorphism. The reasons for these favourable prognosis were thought that the patients with TNF-beta 1/1 homozygote showed much lower stage and/or grade than those of other zygotes. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the TNF-beta gene polymorphism is a useful marker for understanding the prognosis of RCC and a part of cellular immunity related to the tumour and its host.

Adult↗

Cytokine gene polymorphism and heart transplant rejection.

BACKGROUND: Allograft rejection is mediated by cytokines. As polymorphism in cytokine genes can result in interindividual differences in cytokine production, we hypothesize that some patients may have an increased risk of rejection. METHODS: We have related polymorphisms that influence cytokine production in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-A and interleukin (IL)-10 genes to early graft rejection in 115 heart transplant recipients. RESULTS: Certain combinations of TNF-A and IL-10 gene polymorphisms are associated with rejection. Five of 19 patients who had high levels of rejection typed as high TNF-alpha/low IL-10 producers compared with 4 of 96 patients with lower levels of rejection (P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a particular cytokine genotype that may confer susceptibility to increased levels of early rejection. Patients with a worse prognosis may be able to be identified pretransplant by DNA analysis of TNF-A, IL-10, and other gene polymorphisms.

Cytokines↗