Interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor levels in stored platelet concentrates and the association with gene polymorphisms

BACKGROUND: Cytokines (IL-1beta and TNF) generated by WBCs during storage of PLT concentrates have been associated with febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was undertaken to investigate whether there is an association between the polymorphisms of IL1B -511C/T and +3953C/T, IL1RN intron 2 VNTR and TNFA-308G/A genes and the increase of cytokines during the storage of PLT concentrates produced by plasma-rich PLTS (PRP-PC) or apheresis PLTs. RESULTS: Thirty PRP-PCs were studied and a progressive increase of IL-1beta and TNF during storage was revealed. IL1-beta and TNF levels were inversely correlated with the content of PLTs in PRP-PCs detected on Day 3 (p = 0.004) and Day 5 (p = 0.019), but not on Day 7. There was association of IL1B-511T polymorphism and IL-1beta levels (Day 5, p = 0.063, only tendency and on Day 7, p = 0.038, significant). There was no association of the other polymorphisms (IL1B+3953C/T, IL1RN intron 2 and TNFA-308G/A) with their respective cytokines. CONCLUSION: The great variation of cytokine levels in the plasma of PLT concentrates (PCs) during storage may also be caused by cytokine gene polymorphisms, as well as WBC contamination, material that the bags are made of, and storage time, as previously described.