Association between IL-4 polymorphism and acute rejection of solid organ allograft: A meta-analysis

BackgroundCytokines have been implicated in the acute rejection of solid organ transplantation. Many studies have investigated the association between recipient or donor IL-4 polymorphism and acute rejection, with different studies reporting inconclusive results.MethodsWe searched PUBMED and EMBASE until June 2012 to identify eligible studies investigating the association between IL-4 polymorphism with acute rejection after solid organ transplantation. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA10.0.ResultsA total of 12 studies were included. Pooled ORs suggested 1) no significant association was detected between recipient or donor IL-4 − 590C/T polymorphism and acute rejection of solid allograft; 2) no significant association was detected between recipient IL-4 − 33C/T polymorphism and acute rejection of solid allograft; 3) when stratified by transplantation type, IL-4 − 590C/T polymorphism was associated with acute rejection of liver transplantation (T/T + C/T vs. C/C: OR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.14–0.90); 4) significantly decreased risk of acute rejection was detected in recipient IL-4 − 590*T-negative/donor T-positive genotype pairs than all other recipient–donor IL-4 − 590T/C pairs (OR = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.03–0.66).ConclusionsOur meta-analysis suggested that recipient IL-4 − 590C/T polymorphism was associated with acute rejection of liver transplantation, but nor renal or heart transplantation. It was also suggested that combined recipient IL-4 − 590*T-negative/donor T-positive genotype may suffer decreased risk of acute rejection of solid allograft. Further well-designed studies with larger sample size were required to verify our findings, with focus on the association of IL-4 polymorphism with acute rejection in patients with liver transplantation and studies investigating combined recipient–donor genotype.

► PUBMED and EMBASE were search until June, 2012.
► Twelve studies were included.
► Recipient IL-4 − 590C/T was related to acute rejection of LTx, but not RTx or HTx.
► Combined recipient IL-4 − 590*T(−)/donor T(+) genotype was related to acute rejection.