白细胞介素6基因-572C/G多态性与心肌梗塞易感性的关联研究

目的观察白细胞介素6（interleukin 6，IL6）基因-572C／G多态性在中国人群中的分布频率、与心肌梗塞（myocardial infarction，MI）易感性的关系、对MI患者冠脉病变程度的影响以及初步对该位点基因变异进行功能性分析。方法应用聚合酶链反应．限制性片段长度多态性方法对232例MI患者和260名正常对照者IL6基因-572C／G多态性进行了分析，观察了该基因多态性对冠脉病变程度及外周血单核细胞（peripheral blood mononuclear cells，PBMC）产生IL6能力的影响。结果中国汉族人群存在IL6基因-572C／G多态性；两组人群基因型、等位基因频率差异存在统计学意义，MI组CG＋GG基因型频率、G等位基因频率均显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）；基因型频率的相对风险分析发现，G等位基因携带者息MI的风险是CC基因型的1．68倍（95％CI：1．17—2．41，P〈0．01）；-572C／G多态性在单支、双支、三支冠脉病变组间的分布差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；G等位基因携带者氧化低密度脂蛋白刺激24h PBMC产生IL6的能力明显高于CC基因型（P〈0．05）。结论IL6基因-572G等位基因可能是中国汉族人MI的易感因子，这可能与携带该等位基因的人群存在IL6水平的高表达有关。     

湖北汉族人群白细胞介素18基因启动子区多态性研究

目的 :研究白细胞介素 18(IL 18)基因启动子区 - 137G/C、- 6 0 7C/A位点多态性在湖北汉族健康人群中的分布。方法 :随机选择 187例湖北地区无血缘关系的汉族健康人 ,用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应技术检测IL 18基因启动子区 - 137G/C、- 6 0 7C/A位点单核苷酸多态性 (SNP) ,并进行不同种族间比较。结果 :湖北地区汉族健康人群IL 18基因启动子区 - 137位点基因型以GG型 ( 6 7% )多见 ,其次为GC型 ( 30 % )和CC型 ( 3% ) ;其等位基因以G型 ( 82 % )最为常见。而 - 6 0 7位点基因型以CA型 ( 6 0 % )多见 ,其次为CC型 ( 2 1% )和AA型 ( 19% ) ;其等位基因以C型 ( 51% )多见。与瑞典、波兰、澳大利亚等人群相比 ,该位点多态性分布差异存在显著性 (P <0 .0 5) ,而 - 137G/C位点基因型分布与亚洲日本人群相接近 (P >0 .0 5)。结论 :湖北地区汉族人群IL 18基因启动子区 - 137G/C、- 6 0 7C/A位点存在多态性 ,其在不同种族间的分布可能存在显著性差异。     

唐山地区汉族人群脑梗死患者IL-6基因-572C/G多态性研究

目的:探讨唐山地区汉族人群脑梗死患者IL-6基因-572C/G多态性及其分布特点。方法:应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)和限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)方法测定唐山地区汉族人群中157例脑梗死患者的IL-6基因-572C/G的基因多态性。结果:脑梗死患者和健康人群的C等位基因频率均明显高于G等位基因频率(P0.05)。经Hardy-Weinberg吻合度检验,脑梗死人群和健康人群的-572C/G位点基因型个体数的观察值和期望值差异均无显著性(P0.05)。本组脑梗死患者人群和健康人群中不同性别之间IL-6-572C/G的基因型及等位基因频率分布的差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:唐山地区汉族人群脑梗死患者中可能存在IL-6基因-572C/G多态性,C等位基因可能为常见基因,G等位基因可能为少见基因。     

IL-6基因多态性与变应性鼻炎的关联性

目的探讨白细胞介素6(IL-6)基因启动子区-634C/G和-572C/G位点多态性与变应性鼻炎的关联性。方法应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性法(PCR-RFLP)检测105例PHC患者和130例健康对照者IL-6基因启动子区-634和-572位点多态性。结果 IL-6基因-634C/G多态性在变应性鼻炎组和对照组的分布差异不显著性(P0.05),而IL-6基因-572C/G多态性在两组人群中的分布差异显著(P0.05)。等位基因频率的相对风险分析发现,G等位基因携带者患冠心病的风险是C等位基因的1.849倍[相对比值比(OR)=1.849,95%可信区间(CI):1.187～2.879]。结论 IL-6-572基因多态性与变应性鼻炎的发病有相关性,G等位基因可能是变应性鼻炎的遗传易感基因。     

白细胞介素-1基因多态性与原发性高血压关联

目的研究白细胞介素-1(IL-1)基因多态性与原发性高血压的相关关系。方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术,检测150例原发性高血压患者和160例健康对照者IL-1基因多态性。结果IL-1α基因-889C/T多态性在两组人群中的分布差异显著(P<0.05);等位基因频率的相对风险分析发现,T等位基因携带者患原发性高血压的风险是C等位基因的2.102倍(OR=2.102,95%CI:1.231~3.590),携带CT+TT基因型的原发性高血压患者收缩压水平显著高于CC基因型者[(168.9±19.8)mmHg比较(160.2±18.9)mmHg],(P<0.05)。结论IL-1α基因-889C/T多态性与原发性高血压的发病具有相关性,其中T等位基因可能是原发性高血压发病的遗传易感基因,携带T等位基因的个体可能通过促进收缩压的升高进而增加了原发性高血压的发病风险。     

白细胞介素-6基因多态性与卵巢癌的相关性研究

目的探讨白细胞介素-6(IL-6)基因启动子区域-174G/C基因多态性与中国北方汉族人卵巢癌的关系。方法采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应(PCR-SSP)技术,检测33例卵巢癌患者组和90例正常对照组IL-6基因多态性。结果IL-6基因-174G/C多态性位点基因型频率和等位基因频率在两组人群中的分布差异有统计学意义(x2=6.31,P<0.05),G等位基因携带者患卵巢癌的风险是C等位基因的3.74倍(OR=3.7405)。结论IL-6基因-174G/C多态性与卵巢癌的发病具有相关性,其中G等位基因可能是我国北方汉族人卵巢癌发病的遗传易感基因,携带G等位基因的个体可能通过促进IL-6的高度表达进而增加卵巢癌的发病风险。     

白细胞介素10基因启动子区多态性与乙型肝炎病毒感染预后的关联研究

目的探讨中国汉族人白细胞介素10基因(interleukin10gene,IL10)启动子区单核苷酸多态性与乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitisBvirus,HBV)感染、转归的关联。方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析方法,检测231例HBV感染者,165例HBV感染康复者和135名正常对照者IL10基因启动子-1082G/A、-819T/C、-592A/C位点基因型。结果IL10基因启动子-1082G/A、-819T/C、-592A/C位点基因型和等位基因在HBV感染组、HBV感染康复组和正常对照组之间的分布频率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),在血清HBV-DNA<1×103拷贝/mL的HBV感染者组和HBV-DNA≥1×103拷贝/mL组之间的分布频率比较差异亦无统计学意义(P>0.05);但IL10基因启动子-819T/C和-592A/C位点基因型和等位基因在HBV无症状携带组和慢性乙型肝炎组之间的分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),-819T/C位点TT型和-592A/C位点AA型在慢性乙型肝炎组的频率明显较高。结论汉族人IL10基因启动子多态性可能与人群对HBV易感性及感染后的病毒血症水平无显著相关性;但IL10启动子-819T/C和-592A/C位点基因多态性与HBV感染后的肝脏炎症反应有关。     

广东汉族人群细胞因子基因多态性研究

目的　探讨细胞因子基因多态性分布。方法　采用PCR -SSP对 5 8名随机人群的肿瘤坏死因子、转化生长因子、IL - 6、IL - 10、干扰素等细胞因子分别作基因多态性研究。结果　肿瘤坏死因子三个基因型频率分别为 0 4 31、0 4 31、0 138,等位基因频率G =0 6 4 6、A =0 35 4 ;转化生长因子九个基因型频率分别是 0 0 6 9、0 0 5 2、0 172、0 0 17、0 190、0 190、0 0 34、0 0 6 9、0 2 0 7,等位基因频率T =0 5 0 9、C =0 4 91、C =0 2 76、G =0 72 4 ;IL - 6三个基因型频率分别是 0 2 0 4、0 6 38、0 15 5 ,等位基因频率C =0 2 5 9、G =0 74 1;IL - 10六个基因型频率分别是 0 0 86、0 10 3、0 15 5、0 0 6 9、0 2 76、0 310 ,等位基因频率GCC =0 2 16、ACC =0 2 5 9、ATA =0 5 2 5 ;干扰素三个基因型频率分别是 0 5 5 1、0 310、0 138,等位基因频率A =0 70 7、T =0 2 93。结论　本组数据对细胞因子基因多态性研究有助于从分子水平去认识细胞因子在机体免疫调节的重要作用 ,对临床上某些疾病发病机理的研究、诊断和防治提供有力的依据。     

TGF-β1基因启动子-800G/A、-509C/T多态性与食管癌的研究

目的研究转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)基因启动子多态性各等位基因及基因型在食管癌患者中的分布频率,初步分析其基因型及血清水平与食管癌的相关性.方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术,检测118例食管癌患者和130例正常对照组TGF-β1的基因多态性,包括TGF-β1基因启动子-800G/A、-509C/T位点,同时采用ELISA检测血清TGF-β1水平.结果食管癌患者血清TGF-β1水平显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),TGF-β1基因-800G/A位点多态性在食管癌组和正常人群中的分布差异无显著性(P＞0.05),而TGF-β1基因-509C/T多态性各等位基因及基因型频率在两组人群中的分布差异存在显著性(P＜0.05);等位基因频率的相对风险分析发现,T等位基因携带者患食管癌的风险是C等位基因的1.624倍(OR=1.624,95%CI1.134～2.324),携带T等位基因的食管癌患者血清TGF-β1水平显著高于不携带者(50.97±8.91μg/LVS44.23±8.54μg/L,P＜0.01).结论TGF-β1基因-509C/T多态性与食管癌的发病具有相关性,其中T等位基因可能是食管癌发病的遗传易感基因;携带T等位基因的个体可能通过促进TGF-β1的高度表达进而增加了食管癌的发病风险.     

白细胞介素-18基因多态性与广西壮族系统性红斑狼疮的遗传易感性

目的 探讨白细胞介素-18(interleukin 18,IL-18)基因单核苷酸多态性与广西壮族系统性红斑狼疮(systematic lupus erythematosus,SLE)易感性之间的关系.方法 以115例SLE患者和160名健康对照者为研究对象,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性和DNA测序的方法对IL-18基因-137G/C、-607C/A单核苷酸多态性进行基因分型.结果 IL-18基因-137G/C多态性在SLE组和正常人群中的分布差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而IL-18基因-607C/A多态性在两组人群中的分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),等位基因频率的相对风险分析发现,-607 C等位基因携带者患系统性红斑狼疮的风险是-607A等位基因的1.619倍(OR=1.619,95%CI:1.150-2.281).联合基因型分析发现,IL-18的-137G/-607C等位基因频率在SLE组中显著高于对照组(P<0.05).-137G/-607C等位基因携带者显著增加了SLE的发病风险(OR=1.484,95%CI:1.056-2.087).结论 IL-18基因-607C/A多态性与SLE的发病具有相关性,其中-607 C等位基因可能是SLE的遗传易感基因.     

云南省傣族、汉族人群乙型肝炎病毒感染与IL-6-572C/G和IFNAR1-168G/C的关联性研究

目的:探讨云南省西双版纳地区傣族和汉族人群IL-6-572C/G和I型干扰素受体1(interferon alpha receptor 1,IFNAR1)-168G/C位点单核苷酸多态性与乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染后疾病转归的关联性。方法:采集西双版纳州傣族、汉族人群血液样本共600份,其中每个民族包括健康对照组100名、HBV感染患者200名(含100名自限性恢复患者和100名慢性乙肝患者),运用限制性片段长度多态性聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism,PCR-RFLP)和DNA测序技术对IL-6-572C/G和IFNAR1-168G/C位点进行基因分型。结果:傣族人群中,-572C/G位点基因型多态性与HBV感染后转归的关联性并无统计学显著性。C、G等位基因型在HBV感染组、正常对照组之间和慢性乙肝组、自限恢复组之间差异无统计学显著性。但是在G显性模式(GG+CG/CC)下,GG+CG基因型为HBV感染者发展成为慢性乙型肝炎患者的保护因素(P0.05)。汉族人群中,-572C/G位点基因型和等位基因分布频率在各组比较中无统计学显著性,并且在G显性模式和G隐性模式比较中也无统计学显著性。在上述4种比较中,IFNAR1-168G/C位点在汉族和傣族样本中的差异均无统计学显著性。结论:IL-6-572C/G位点GG+CG基因型可能是傣族人群中HBV感染者发展成为慢性乙型肝炎的保护因素,而IFNAR1-168G/C多态性与HBV感染后转归在傣、汉两族中并无显著性关联。     

白细胞介素-18基因多态性与其表达量关系的研究

目的:探讨IL-18基因启动子-607C/A、-137G/C位点多态性是否影响其表达量。方法:选择80例体检健康个体,确定IL-18基因启动子区-137G/C、-607C/A位点基因型,分离上述研究对象外周血单个核细胞(PeripheralBloodMonocytes,PBMC),统一浓度培养24h后,收集培养细胞和上清液。采用ELISA检测上清液中IL-18的含量,并用RT-PCR检测培养细胞中IL-18mRNA的水平。结果:IL-18基因启动子-607位点CC、CA和AA基因型个体PBMC分泌IL-18的浓度分别为(11.54±6.48)ng/ml、(10.92±5.16)ng/ml和(11.79±3.18)ng/ml,表达IL-18mRNA水平分别为0.878±0.633、0.877±0.521和0.881±0.400;IL-18基因启动子-137位点GG、GC或CC基因型个体PBMC分泌IL-18的浓度分别为(11.27±5.42)ng/ml和(11.31±4.62)ng/ml,表达IL-18mRNA水平分别为0.835±0.485和0.984±0.613。两个位点各基因型间个体PBMC分泌和表达IL-18水平比较,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:IL-18基因外显子1上游启动子-607C/A、-137G/C位点基因多态性对IL-18分泌和表达量没有明显影响。     

Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter Polymorphisms and Cardiovascular Risk Factors. A family study

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine involved in inflammatory process, as well as in glucose and lipid metabolism. Several studies of the biological relevance of IL-6 gene polymorphisms have indicated a relationship with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess whether the –174 G/C and –572 G/C of IL-6 gene polymorphisms are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican families. Ninety members of 30 Mexican families, in which an index case (proband) had obesity, were included in the study. We evaluated the body composition by bioelectrical impedance. Peripheral blood samples were collected to determine biochemical and hematological parameters. High sensitivity C- reactive protein levels were measurement for nephelometric analysis. Screening for both polymorphisms studied was performed by PCR-RFLP. In the parents, both polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg''s equilibrium. The genotypes –174 GC/CC were associated with T2D (OR = 1.23, IC_95% 1.01–1.5) and highest levels of hsCRP (p = 0.02), whereas genotype –572 GG was associated with T2D (OR = 1.24, IC_95% 1.04–1.47) with an inflammatory state determined by the increase in the leukocyte count (OR = 1.24, IC_95% 1.02–1.51). The genotypes –174 GC/CC and –572 GG may confer susceptibility for the development of subclinical inflammation and type 2 diabetes in Mexican families.     

Biological variations, genetic polymorphisms and familial resemblance of TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations: STANISLAS cohort

Cytokines are involved in the development of several inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis. Their variations in healthy individuals are not well defined. The aims of this study were: firstly, to identify factors affecting biological variation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); secondly, to study their family resemblance; and thirdly, to evaluate the effect of two TNF-alpha (-308G/A and -238G/A) and two IL-6 polymorphisms (174G/C and -572G/C) on their corresponding circulating levels. A total of 171 healthy families selected from the STANISLAS cohort were studied. Age was negatively related to TNF-alpha concentrations in offspring only (both sons and daughters). Additionally, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were differently influenced by gender, white blood cells, tobacco consumption, and HDL-cholesterol level. A weak significant familial resemblance for TNF-alpha concentration was observed in siblings only. There was no significant familial resemblance for IL-6 levels. The TNF-alpha -308A allele was associated with decreased TNF-alpha concentrations in both offspring aged less than 18 and males without overweight (BMI<25 kg/m(2)). Fathers carrying the IL-6 -174CC genotype had higher IL-6 levels than those with the IL-6 -174G allele. Parents with the IL-6 -572GG genotype had higher IL-6 concentrations than the C allele carriers. In this sample of healthy families, plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were differently affected by biological parameters including age, gender and smoking, and the impact of their respective polymorphisms was influenced by gender, age and BMI.     

肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素6基因启动子区多态性与精神分裂症的相关性研究

目的 探讨肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factorα,TNF-α)基因启动子区-308G/A、-857C/T和-1031T/C位点,白细胞介素6(interleukin-6)基因启动子-174G/C和-572C/G多态性与精神分裂症发生的相关性.方法 采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析方法检测346例精神分裂症患者、323名健康对照各个多态性位点的基因型,采用SPSS 13.0进行统计学分析.结果 TNF-α基因-857C/T位点的基因型及等位基因频率分布在精神分裂症组与正常对照组均存在统计学意义(P＜0.05),其中,-857T的等位基因的频率在精神分裂症组均显著高于对照组(x2=9.414,P=0.002,OR=1.511,95%CI:1.160～1.969).-857C/T位点不同基因型患者之间的阳性和阴性症状量表总分及阴性症状差异存在显著性,且TT基因型的分值显著高于CC基因型(P＜0.05).结论 TNF-α基因-857C/T位点可能与精神分裂症的发病存在关联,其中,-857T等位基因可能是易感基因,并且-857C/T位点与阳性和阴性症状量表评分中阴性症状存在关联.     

Interleukin-6-572C>G polymorphism-association with inflammatory variables in Korean men with coronary artery disease

Growing evidence suggests that polymorphisms at position -174 and -572 in interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene are associated with various manifestations of atherosclerosis. We investigated the genotype effects of IL-6 -174 and -572 polymorphisms on circulating levels of inflammatory markers in Korean men with coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD patients were subdivided into 2 groups; those patients treated without lipid-lowering drug (LLD) (n = 173) and those treated with LLD (n = 353). No significant differences existed between the 2 groups in age, body mass index, blood pressure, serum glucose, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and the proportions of antihypertensive and antiplatelet therapies. IL-6 - 572 C>G polymorphism was only observed in this population. In CAD patients not taking LLD, the G/G genotype of the -572C>G polymorphism was associated with greater concentrations of IL-6 (C/C: 4.1 +/- 0.8 pg/mL, C/G: 3.7 +/- 0.7, G/G: 12.4 +/- 6.6; P = 0.031), C-reactive protein (CRP) (C/C: 1.9 +/- 0.4 mg/dL, C/G: 2.7 +/- 0.8, G/G: 10.1 +/- 3.9; P = 0.002), fibrinogen (C/C: 334 +/- 6 mg/dL, C/G: 345 +/- 13, G/G: 429 +/- 38; P = 0.003), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) (C/C: 59 +/- 2 mg/dL, C/G: 55 +/- 3, G/G: 71 +/- 6; P = 0.041) than those with C/C or C/G. However, in the LLD group, no difference existed in circulating levels of IL-6, CRP, fibrinogen, and ox-LDL across the genotype after adjustment of age. This study suggests that circulating levels of IL-6 and its related proteins such as CRP and fibrinogen are associated with genotype at a promoter polymorphism (-572C>G) of the IL-6 gene in Korean men with CAD not taking LLD. LLD, mostly statin in this study, might reduce the exaggeration of G/G genotype-raising effect on inflammatory markers.     

Interleukin-6 promotor gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus in Egyptians

AimTo investigate the association between IL-6 polymorphisms (?174G/C, ?572G/C and ?597G/A) and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection.MethodTotal 108 subjects with CHB infection and 102 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. IL-6 (?174G/C) was genotyped using Mutagenically separated Polymerase Chain Reaction (MS-PCR) while sequence specific primers-PCR (SSP-PCR) was used for studying ?572G/C and ?597G/A. IL-6 plasma level was measured using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsA significant increase (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.001) in ?174GG, ?572GC and ?597GA; respectively in the CHB group compared to control group, while ?572GG genotype was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in CHB patients. A significant increase (p < 0.01, p < 0.01) in ?174 G and ?597A alleles was observed in the CHB patient group; respectively. GGA haplotype is significantly increased (P < 0.05) while GCA haplotype is significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in the patient group. A moderate linkage disequilibrium (LD) (D′ = 0.719, r² = 0.474; P < 0.001) between IL-6 (?572G/C and ?597G/A) was observed. A significant reduction (P < 0.01) in IL-6 plasma level in CHB patients compared to healthy controls (22.28 ± 1.93 versus 32.08 ± 2.41), which was negatively correlated (r = ?0.216; P < 0.01) with HBV infection.ConclusionsThis study pointed to the potential role of IL-6 (?174G/C, ?572 G/C and ?597G/A) gene polymorphisms in the susceptibility to HBV infection. Our results allow for only preliminary conclusions due to relatively small sample size. There is a need for further larger scale studies to fully examine the possible relationship between these cytokine gene polymorphisms and the development of CHB.     

白细胞介素6与钙感应性受体基因多态性对青春期女童骨量增长的交互作用

目的 探讨白细胞介素6(interleukin-6,IL-6)与钙感应性受体(calcium sensing receptor,CASR)基因多态性对青春期女童骨量增长的交互作用.方法 选择228名9-11岁半未月经初潮的健康女童进行两年追踪,采用双能X线骨密度仪检测对象追踪前后全身、左侧近端股骨(包括股骨颈、大转子、粗隆间和华氏三角区)和L1-L4腰椎骨矿含量(bone mineral content,BMC)和骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD),采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术检测IL-6-634C/G位点多态性,等位基因特异性突变分离扩增-PCR技术检测CASR A986S位点多态性.结果 176名女童完成整个研究.IL-6基因-634C/G和CASR基因A986S位点多态性与青春期女童骨量增长有关联,IL-6基因-634C/G位点CG+GG基因型女童全身和股骨大转子BMD较CC基因型分别低25.7%和20.6%,CASR基因A986S位点AS+SS基因型女童L1.L4腰椎BMC和华氏三角区BMD增长率较AA基因型分别低14.9%和51.3%,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).交互作用分析发现,同时具有IL-6基因-634C/G位点G等位基因和CASR基因A986S位点S等位基因的女童,其股骨颈和L1-L4腰椎BMC增长率最低.结论 同时具有IL-6基因-634C/G位点G等位基因和CASR基因A986S位点S等位基因的女童,可能是低骨量增长的危险人群.     

The impact of interleukin-6 promoter -597/-572/-174genotype on interleukin-6 production after lipopolysaccharide stimulation

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine, produced by different cells. There is accumulating evidence that IL-6 promoter polymorphisms impact substantially on various diseases and we identified kidney transplant recipients carrying the IL-6 GGG/GGG (-597/-572/-174)genotype to have superior graft survival. To prove a functional impact on gene expression, we analysed systematically IL-6 production in healthy individuals with respect to the IL-6 (-597/-572/-174)genotype. IL-6 was determined in 100 healthy blood donors at protein and mRNA levels upon specific stimulation in monocytes and T lymphocytes under whole blood conditions. GGG/GGG individuals showed a lower IL-6 secretion upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulation versus all others (P = 0.039). This link was even stronger when (-597) and (-174)GG genotypes were reanalysed separately (P = 0.008, P = 0.017). However, we found neither a difference at the mRNA level or percentage of CD14(+) cells nor after T cell stimulation. We found evidence for the IL-6 (-597/-572/-174)genotype to affect IL-6 synthesis, i.e. lower levels of IL-6 protein upon LPS-stimulation in GGG/GGG individuals. Further studies are needed in kidney transplant recipients to investigate the potential link between the GGG/GGG genotype and graft survival. In line with this, determination of the genetic risk profiles might be promising to improve the transplant outcome in the individual patient.