Genomic polymorphisms of the innate immune system and allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Expert Rev Hematol. 2010 Aug;3(4):411-27. doi: 10.1586/ehm.10.40.

Abstract

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is largely employed for treating patients affected by many hematological disorders, but despite the considerable improvement in the treatment of its complications, graft-versus-host disease and infections remain important causes of morbidity and mortality. Innate immunity is crucial in the immune defense against infections after allo-HSCT, and in the biological reactions leading to graft-versus-host disease. Thus, the innate immune system plays an important role in allo-HSCT clinical outcome. It is known now that cytokine gene polymorphisms greatly influence the outcome of allo-HSCT. In addition, genetic variability of some pattern-recognition receptors and antimicrobial peptides represent a promising field to be researched for allo-HSCT impact. Furthermore, more recent work suggests the importance of genetic variability between donor and recipient in the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors of the natural killer cells on the allo-HSCT outcome. This article discusses the main cytokines and innate immune gene polymorphisms influencing allo-HSCT outcome, presents new innate immune genes with promising expectations and points at the importance of genetic variability in natural killer cells in allo-HSCT outcome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Genetic Variation
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / immunology*
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition / genetics
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Homologous / immunology*

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Pattern Recognition