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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
Genetic polymorphisms influencing therapy and susceptibility to rejection in organ allograft recipients
Francesca Poli1, Giuseppe Piccolo, Mario Scalamogna
1Centro Trasfusionale e di Immunologia dei Trapianti, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
Solid organ transplantation during the past 30 years has developed from an experimental procedure into routine clinical practice. The current repertoire of immunosuppressive agents has made a major contribution to transplant survival; however, problems in different areas still need to be overcome. Several gene polymorphisms are supposed to influence immunosuppressive therapy and susceptibility to rejection. Therefore, a priority of transplant biologists is to estimate individual patient risk and to characterise the genetic profile of patients in need of a transplant in order to optimise the use of a scarce resource such as organs from cadaver donors, and to avoid serious drug-induced adverse effects. Polymorphisms in genes encoding tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) and thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) can have significant effects on an individual's risk of rejection, as well as their ability to tolerate immunosuppressive therapy. Genotyping of known polymorphisms in these genes may in the future contribute to our ability to individualise immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplant recipients.
Solid organ transplantation during the past 30 years has developed from an experimental procedure into routine clinical practice. The current repertoire of immunosuppressive agents has made a major contribution to transplant survival; however, problems in different areas still need to be overcome. Several gene polymorphisms are supposed to influence immunosuppressive therapy and susceptibility to rejection. Therefore, a priority of transplant biologists is to estimate individual patient risk and to characterise the genetic profile of patients in need of a transplant in order to optimise the use of a scarce resource such as organs from cadaver donors, and to avoid serious drug-induced adverse effects. Polymorphisms in genes encoding tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) and thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) can have significant effects on an individual's risk of rejection, as well as their ability to tolerate immunosuppressive therapy. Genotyping of known polymorphisms in these genes may in the future contribute to our ability to individualise immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplant recipients.
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