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Goals. The IHWC Cytokine Polymorphism project was aimed to study the genomic variability in selected cytokine molecules. The following genes have been identified as candidates for study in this component: IL1 alpha; IL1 beta; IL1R; IL1RA, IL2; IL4; IL4R; IL6; IL10; IL12; TGF beta 1; TNF alpha; and gamma-IFN. Phase I of this component was aimed to assess the current state-of the-art technology, whereas Phase II studies were aimed to study the genomic variability and diversity of the selected cytokine genes in different ethnic groups; to evaluate the influence of such polymor-phisms in stem cell transplantation, and to examine the effect of such polymorphisms in certain HLA-associated diseases. Progress to date. Up to now 37 Phase I laboratories reported cytokine typing results of a panel of 50 blind control DNA samples from the IHW Cell Bank. The majority of the laboratories that submitted phase I data also participated in the phase II studies. The process of data submission is not yet completed, however, many laboratories have already sent in their phase II results. As expected, almost all participants have contributed with submission of cytokine gene population data. A rather small fraction of labs submitted typings for stem cell transplants. Several laboratories performed single center disease association studies. The deadline for the submission of the phase II QC data will be March 31. Submission of all clinical and anthropology data should be completed not later than April 15. Back to Cytokine Overview |