The Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter Polymorphism -174 and Atherosclerotic Events in Overweight Transplanted Patients

Chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that combining overweight and a greater genetic capacity to produce IL-6 predicted by IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism at position -174 (G→C) may allow to identify individuals exhibiting higher IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations with a higher risk of atherosclerotic events (AE). The occurrence of AE was analyzed with respect to body mass index, IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism at position -174 (G→C), and other relevant risk factors, retrospectively, in 217 renal transplant recipients and, prospectively, in 132. Circulating IL-6 concentrations were closely related to BMI (r = 0.55, P = .0005). In overweight patients, serum IL-6 concentration was found to be significantly lower in C carriers than in GG patients (4.2 [1.0–5.1] versus 7.3 pg/mL [4.4–100]; P = .025). The incidence of AE was higher in overweight GG patients (29.5% versus 10.1%; P = .0003). In multivariate analysis, overweight-GG had an increased risk to develop AE (HR 2.96 [95% CI 1.09–8.04], P = .034 in the retrospective cohort, and HR 2.99 [95% CI 0.92–9.33], P = .069 in the prospective cohort). All these data are consistent with a role for both genetic and environmental determinants of inflammation (white adipose tissue mass) in the development of AE in renal transplanted patients

Antithymoglobulines, fonction thymique et immunosenescence chez les transplantés rénaux

BESANCON-BU Médecine pharmacie (250562102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Le polymorphisme (-174 G/C) du promoteur du gène de l'IL-6 influence la survenue d'un diabète de novo post-transplantation rénale

BESANCON-BU Médecine pharmacie (250562102) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

[A rare cause of anemia in a chronic dialyzed patient].

International audienceWe reported the case of a female in chronic dialysis since 3 years who developed a normocytic a regenerative anemia with no evident etiology. A bone marrow smear revealed a copper deficiency, a rare cause of anemia in general and dialyzed populations. Copper supplementation improved anemia with a decrease in transfusions rate and erythropoietin dosage. This case suggests that a copper deficiency has to be considered when a myelodysplastic syndrome is associated with neurologic symptoms and granulocytes precursors vacuolization identified in bone marrow smear. A blood titration of trace elements should be considered in front of a refractory anemia with no evident etiology

Rheumatoid purpura associated with toxocariasis

International audienc

[Immune monitoring of kidney transplant recipients: can markers predictive of over-immunosuppression be identified?]

International audienceWhile the use of nonspecific immunosuppressive drugs has significantly reduced the incidence of acute graft rejection, the benefits of such therapies on chronic rejection and overall long-term graft survival are uncertain. Persistent excessive immunosuppression after immunosuppressive drug treatment is associated with long-term toxicity including increased incidence of cancers, severe infectious complications and metabolic diseases (for example, diabetes, atherosclerosis). One of our team's aims is to identify immunological factors that can predict such toxicities. We have previously demonstrated that CD4T cell cytopenia was correlated with high risk of cancers and infections as well as atherosclerosis in renal transplant recipients. Now, we are investigating the mechanisms involved in CD4T cell cytopenia. We are also exploring how inflammation and cells from the innate immunity influence the complications associated with kidney transplantation. This was performed through the analysis of gene polymorphism on TLR-4, NOD2/CARD15 receptors and IL-6 promoter and correlation with transplantation outcome. We already correlated IL-6 promoter gene polymorphism at position -174 with new-onset diabetes after transplantation in overweight patients. Identification of gene polymorphisms or factors associated with complications after transplantation may help physicians to determine high-risk recipient profiles and optimize pre- and post-transplantation treatment strategies