Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3398424 | Clinical Microbiology and Infection | 2008 | 7 Pages |
Promoter variations in Toll-like receptor genes (n = 7) and genes encoding pathogen recognition and virus entry receptors (n = 7) were screened to detect any association with human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) reactivation and disease in patients following allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs735240, G.>A; rs2287886, CwT) in the promoter region of the dendritic cell-specific ICAM3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) showed a significant association with an increased risk of development of hCMV reactivation and disease. Furthermore, these genetic markers influenced the expression levels of DC-SIGN on immature dendritic cells, as well as the infection efficiency of immature dendritic cells by hCMV, as determined by hCMV immediate–early antigen staining. Screening of patients following allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for the presence of these defined genetic polymorphisms might help to predict the individual risk of hCMV reactivation and disease.