Association of interleukin 18 gene promoter polymorphisms with HBV recurrence after liver transplantation in Han Chinese population

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.