Association of Interferon Gamma Gene Polymorphisms With BK Virus Infection Among Hispanic Renal Allograft Recipients

Background BK virus nephropathy is one of the most common viral infections that affect up to 10% of renal transplant recipients (RTRs), causing allograft dysfunction and graft loss. Interferon-gamma (IFN-) gene polymorphisms have been associated with parvovirus B19, hepatitis C virus, HIV-1/AIDS infection, cytomegalovirus viremia, and disease. IFN- is known to have potent inhibitory effects on BK virus gene expression, both at the level of transcription and translation. Methods It was investigated whether IFN- polymorphisms are associated with BKV infection. Genotyping of four single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in the IFN- gene were performed on DNA collected from a total of 251 RTRs (71 RTRs with BKV infection and 180 without BKV infection). Results Analysis of the results showed that IFN- (rs12369470) CC genotype was significantly associated with susceptibility to BKV infection (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.29-6.44, P=0.007) while the IFN- +874 (rs2435061) TT and (rs2406918) CC genotypes appear to be markers for protection against BKV infection (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.1-0.83, P=0.01 for rs245061; OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.4-0.94, P=0.02 for rs24069718). A haplotype analysis using the combination of rs2435061-rs2406918-rs2870953 showed that the A-G-T haplotype was associated with a significantly reduced risk for BKV infection (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.73, P=0.001). Conclusion Polymorphisms in the IFN- gene may confer certain protection or predisposition for BKV infection.