Association between IVS3 +17T/C CD28 gene polymorphism and the acute kidney allograft rejection

CD28 is a costimulatory molecule which plays an important role in T cell-mediated immune response and transplantation. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the IVS3 +17T/C (rs3116496:T/C) polymorphism in the CD28 gene and the development of delayed renal graft function (DGF), as well as the acute rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy. A total of 270 recipients of the first renal transplants were included in the study. SNP within the CD28 gene was genotyped using TaqMan genotyping assay. Acute rejection was diagnosed in 21.74% of the carriers of the TT genotype, 33.33% of CT carriers and 60.00% of CC homozygotes. The odds of acute rejection were statistically significantly higher in carriers of the C allele (with CT or CC genotype) compared with TT homozygotes (CC+CT vs TT: OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.10-3.39, p = 0.026). There were no statistically significant associations between CD28 gene polymorphism and DGF as well as chronic allograft nephropathy. The results of our study suggest an association between IVS3 +17T/C polymorphism in the CD28 gene and acute kidney allograft rejection.