Analysis of null deletion polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase theta (GSTT-1), associated with anti-GSTT-1 antibodies development in transplantation

Glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) is an enzyme involved in phase II biotransformation processes and a member of a multigene family of detoxifying and clearing reactive oxygen species. GSTT1 is polymorphic like other biotransforming enzymes, allowing variability in hepatic conjugation processes. Immunological recognition of the GSTT1 alloantigen, as evidenced by donor-specific antibodies formation, has previously been observed in recipients lacking GSTT1 protein (called GSTT1-, GSTT*0, null phenotype or homozygous for the GSTT1 deletion) who receive liver or kidney transplants from GSTT1+ donors and is a risk factor for the development of de novo hepatitis following liver transplants from a GSTT1 expressing donor. Antibodies against GSTT1 are demonstrated in patients who are GSTT1 null and received a transplant from a GSTT1+ donor. Understanding the local population frequency of the GSTT1 deletion is of value in understanding the potential clinical risk of developing post-transplant complications, which can be attributed to the nonexpression of GSTT1. A population of 173 healthy donors of the Murcia Region in Southeast Spain was evaluated for a null allele of GSTT1 (n = 173). DNA was extracted, and GSTT-1 null allele detection was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of the null GSTT1 genotype (nonexpression or deletion of the homozygous polymorphism of the GSTT1 protein) was 17.9% (n = 31 null allele GSTT1/173 total individuals). Our data suggest that the frequency of null GSTT1 mutations in our population in Southeast Spain is 17.9%, lower than in other Caucasoid populations. This would convert our recipient population into more susceptible to nonlocal potential organ donors and less susceptible to local donors. All recipients bearing this GSTT1 deletion homozygous would be without the protein and triggering an alloantigen in the case of transplantation with a donor without deletion.