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Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Trans-vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Assay for Antigen Specific Regulation
Published on: May 2, 2013
Cytokine gene polymorphisms in children successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression after liver transplantation
George V Mazariegos1, Jorge Reyes, Steve A Webber
1Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Background:
Cytokine genetic polymorphisms have been associated with transplant outcome in some experimental and clinical studies, but the cytokine profile of patients who are clinically tolerant has not been investigated.
Aim:
Allelic variations in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (INF)-gamma, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were evaluated in patients successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression.
Methods:
Pediatric liver transplant recipients who were successfully withdrawn from immunosuppression (n=12) or who are on minimal immunosuppression (n=7) were genotyped. A control group of liver recipients who required maintenance immunosuppression served as a control group (n=37).
Results:
Compared to the control group, low TNF- alpha and high/intermediate IL-10 profiles were seen in all 12 children maintained off immunosuppression and in 6 of 7 children requiring minimal immunosuppression.
Conclusion:
Children successfully maintained off immunosuppression are more likely to have a genetic predisposition toward low TNF-alpha and high/intermediate IL-10 production. Children maintained on minimal immunosuppression exhibit a similar cytokine profile to those successfully weaned.
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