The Impact of HLA-G and HLA-E Polymorphisms on CMV Reinfection in Liver Transplant Recipients

• Published in: Iranian journal of immunology 2022-12, Vol.19 (4), p.404-413
• Main Authors: Darai, Masumeh, Soleimanian, Saeede, Yaghobi, Ramin, Kazemi, Kourosh, Nikeghbalian, Saman, Azarpira, Negar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acute rejection; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus - genetics; Cytomegalovirus Infections - genetics; Gene deletion; Gene polymorphism; Genetic diversity; Genotype; Graft Rejection - genetics; Histocompatibility antigen HLA; HLA-E Antigens; HLA-G Antigens - genetics; Humans; Immunomodulation; Isoforms; Liver transplantation; Liver Transplantation - adverse effects; Liver transplants; mRNA stability; non-classical hla; Polymerase chain reaction; Reinfection; Transplant Recipients
• ISSN: 1735-1383; 1735-367X
• DOI: 10.22034/IJI.2022.95345.2359

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reinfection in transplant patients has been associated with graft loss and decreased patient survival. In this regard, the HLA-G molecule has the immunomodulatory characteristic and its soluble isoforms have important roles in immunity to viruses. The 14bp insertion/deletion polymorphism impacts HLA-G mRNA stability. Regarding the HLA-E molecule, two nonsynonymous alleles, HLA-E*0101, and HLA-E*0103 are different in their functions including the affinity of the relative peptide. To explore the possible link between HLA-G and HLA-E polymorphisms with CMV reinfection among liver transplant recipients (LTRs). In this study, a total of 140 liver transplantations were performed; of which 70 CMV-reactivated LTRs and 70 CMV non-reactivated ones were recruited. The cut-off value of CMV DNA was determined to be 100 copies/mL. PCR evaluated different genotypes for HLA-G and ARMS-PCR for HLA-E*0101 and *0103. Neither the HLA-G genotypes (-14 bp/-14bp and +14bp/+14 bp homozygous genotypes with the p-values: 0.43, and 0.13, respectively +14 bp⁄-14 bp heterozygous genotype with p-value: 0.49) nor the HLA-E genotypes (HLA-E*0101/0103, HLA-E*0101/0101, and HLA-E*0103/0103 with the p-values: 0.152, 0.249, and 0.391, respectively) had any association with CMV reinfection in the LTRs. No difference was observed in the HLA-E and HLA-G genotype frequencies between our studied groups. Further studies are needed to explore other genetic variations and evaluate soluble HLA-G and HLA-E levels in the transplant population.