IJOTM 2008-6490 5 4 2014 11 08 Polymorphism of the IL-18 and CD40 genes and Liver Transplant Outcome in Iranian Patients 146 154 EN S Hejr MH Karimi Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran. Karimimh@sums.ac.ir S Sabet B Mohammadi S Nikeghbalian B Geramizadeh R Yaghobi 2014 11 08 Background: Cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules are important factors determining the outcome of transplantation.Objective: To investigate the effect of IL-18 and CD40 gene polymorphisms on the outcome of liver transplantation.Methods: 150 liver transplant recipients were included in this study. Alleles and genotypes frequencies for IL-18 (rs1946519) and CD40 (rs1883832) were determined in 28 acutely rejected (AR group) and 122 non-acutely rejected (non-AR group) liver transplant recipients. IL-18 and CD40 gene polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR-RFLP methods.Results: There were no significant associations between IL-18 and CD40 polymorphism with acute rejection in liver transplant patients. IL-18TT and TG genotypes had a significant association with rejection in women compared to men. After grouping the liver recipients according to living vs cadaver donors, a significant association was found between CC genotype of CD40 and rejection in male living donor recipients. IL-18 TG genotype had a significant association with rejection in female cadaver donor recipients.Conclusion: There is no correlation between all genotype and alleles of IL-80 and CD40 polymorphism and the outcome of liver transplantation. However, gender and type of donor affect the correlation between all genotype and alleles of IL-18 and CD40, and the outcome of liver transplantation.