Association of cytokine gene polymorphisms with the complications of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The purpose of our study was to confirm the prevalence of the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms present in genes encoding cytokines and the complications occurring after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). 108 recipients and 81 donors were typed for TNF-alpha (-308), TGF-beta 1 (codon 10, 25), IL-10 (-1082, -819, -592), IL-6 (-174) and INF-gamma (+874). Our studies have shown a tendency toward association between the occurrence of acute form of graft versus host disease (aGVHD) and IL-6 genotype. Homozygote C/C was less likely to develop aGVHD (p = 0,09). Genotype GCC/ATA in IL-10 recipient gene alone had protective effect against the occurrence of aGVHD (p = 0,01). Furthermore, GCC/ATA protected the host against developing the disease in the clinically relevant grades (II-IV) (p = 0,03). In addition, the recipient's T/T G/G genotype (TGF-beta 1) predisposed to the development of both acute (p = 0,06 - trend) and chronic (p = 0,04) GVHD and also severe aGVHD (p = 0,004). We also observed a statistically significant association between the genotype of recipient and the risk of infection- the protective function of the G/C IL-6 in the bloodstream infections (p = 0,001). Our results suggest that IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta 1 genotypes of recipient are the most associated with the risk of complications after HSCT.