The implication of genetic variation in the complement C3 allotypes on the first-year allograft outcome after live donor liver transplantation

Background: The component (C3) of the complement system constitutes a central element in liver transplantation. C3 is produced mainly by the liver and comprises both slow (C3-S), and fast (C3-F) components. Methods: The effect of a single nucleotide variation in the C3 gene on the first-year outcome examined by ARMS PCR in 30 recipients of living donor allograft. Results: Frequencies of C3-S and C3-F in the Egyptian recipients' population were 67% and 33%. C3-F allele frequency was prevalent than the C3-S allele in recipients who developed acute rejection. The C3-SF and C3-FF genotypes significantly associated with acute rejection with 6.25 times increase in the risk of rejection than C3-SS (OR: 6.25; CI:1.05-37.07, p < .05). C3-SS increases the survival 2.5 times more than C3-SF or C3-FF but without significant association (OR: 0.40, CI: 0.07-2.44, p = .3). C3 genotypes or allotypes had no significant association with the recipient's survival, death, graft loss, infection, or serum levels of tacrolimus (all p > .05). C3-FF and C3-SF genotypes had the highest HCV recurrence rate but without significant association (p > .05). Conclusion: In liver allograft recipients, C3-SF and C3-FF genotypes significantly associated with acute rejection with the C3-F allele more prevalent than the C3-S. C3-SS genotype increases survival without significant association.