Association between interleukin-3 gene polymorphism and acute rejection after kidney transplantation

Background: Acute rejection (AR) after kidney transplantation resulting from alloimmune responses has a negative effect on graft survival. AR is mainly caused by T-cell immune responses activated by cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, -4, and -7. Many reports have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of these cytokines can affect the occurrence of AR. IL-3, which is secreted by activated T cells, can mediate AR. Our study sought to investigate the association between SNPs of the IL3 gene and the occurrence of an AR episode (ARE).

Methods: We analyzed 3 SNPs of IL3 (rs181781, rs2073506, and rs40401) among 330 renal recipients, 60 of whom had developed an ARE. SNPs of the IL3 gene, including 1 exonic SNP (rs40401) and 2 regulatory thought to be promoter SNPs (rs181781 and rs2073506).

Results: The genotypes of 60 ARE subjects and the 270 patients without AR demonstrated a significant relationship between genotype frequencies and the SNPs. The occurrence of an ARE was associated with rs181781 (P = .041, dominant model), rs2073506 (P = .009, codominant 1 model; P = .003, dominant model), and rs40401 (P = .014, recessive model). Among haplotypes, AAT showed a significant association with ARE. (P = .0033).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that IL3 gene polymorphisms were associated with this event.