ABSTRACT
Background: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a negative regulator of the immune system. To approach reasons of variability in the generation of anti-HBs antibodies in response to HBV vaccination among hemodialysis (HD) subjects, we aimed to investigate whether the IDO gene (IDO1) transcript levels are associated with post-vaccination anti-HBs production and IDO1 polymorphic variants.
Methods: The IDO1 transcript was determined by qRT-PCR analysis in 110 HD patients. IDO1 (rs3739319, rs9657182) genotyping was carried out by HRM analysis.
Results: The relative IDO1 transcript levels were not associated with IDO1 polymorphic variants. There were 16 non-responders (not able to produce anti-HBs >10 IU/L), 74 patients with anti-HBs 10–999 IU/L, and 20 hyperactive responders (anti-HBs ≥1000 IU/L). IDO1 transcript levels were different among these groups (0.832, 0.423–4.373; 1.114, 0.317–6.582; 0.680, 0.164–3.014; respectively, Kruskal-Wallis P = 0.024). Significance in IDO1 transcript was shown between anti-HBs titers 10–999 IU/L and ≥1000 IU/L (P = 0.020). IDO1 transcript level <0.743 indicated 3.38 (1.17–9.72) higher probability of hyperactive immunization (adjusted P = 0.005).
Conclusion: In HD patients, ability to generate anti-HBs is not associated with IDO1 transcript levels. Hyperactive anti-HBs responses occur in patients showing lower IDO1 transcript. The latter cannot be predictable by genotyping IDO1 rs3739319 or rs9657182.
Author contributions
AEG conceived the idea for the study and designed the research. AEG and HW were involved in data collection. BAF performed qRT-PCR analyses. PPJ was responsible for genotyping. WW was responsible for statistics. AEG interpreted the data and wrote the article. All authors edited and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.