Soluble Interleukin-7 receptor levels and risk of acute graft-versus-disease after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Publication date: Available online 31 August 2017
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Katrine Kielsen, Zaiba Shamim, Stephanie Thiant, Sylvie Faucher, Wendy Decker, Ib Jarle Christensen, Lars Peter Ryder, Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha, Klaus Müller
Interleukin-7 is a cytokine essential for T cell homeostasis. IL-7 binds to cellular IL-7 receptors in competition with a soluble form of the receptor (sIL-7Rα). We hypothesized that altered sIL-7Rα levels may cause adverse outcomes in patients undergoing HSCT. In parallel, we investigated the impact of the IL-7Rα SNP rs6897932, which has been associated with release of IL-7R.The sIL-7Rα levels decreased during HSCT (from 114ng/ml before to 48ng/ml at day +14 (P<0.0001)). This pattern was inversely mirrored by IL-7. The IL-7/sIL-7Rα ratio at day +14 was significantly higher in patients developing grade II-IV aGVHD (OR=4.3, P=0.026). Furthermore, donor carriage of the rs6897932 T allele was associated with reduced sIL-7Rα levels, increased risk of grade II-IV aGVHD (OR=2.4, P=0.055) and increased transplant-related mortality (CC=4.5%, CT=21.4% and TT=27.3%, P=0.0037). In conclusion, this study suggests an impact of sIL-7Rα levels and rs6897932 donor genotype on alloreactivity and outcome after HSCT.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2vwMw7C