Association of IL-12 and TNF-α Polymorphisms with Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are important factors determining the outcome of transplantation. The host ability in cytokine production may be affected by cytokine genes polymorphisms. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of IL-12 and TNF-α gene polymorphisms on outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: 90 bone marrow transplant recipients were included in this study. 30 (33%) of 90 recipients experienced graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). IL-12 and TNF-α gene polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR-RFLP and ARMS-PCR method, respectively. RESULTS: No significant difference in the distribution of IL-12 (rs3212227 +1188 A/C) and TNF-α (rs 1800629 -308 G/A) genotypes and alleles was observed between those with and without GVHD. There was no significant association between the distribution of genotypes and the recipient sex. CONCLUSION: IL-12 (rs3212227 +1188 A/C) and TNF-α (rs 1800629-308 G/A) genotypes and alleles were not risk factors for development of GVHD.