Significance of the detections for CD4 +CD25 + regulatory T cells, Foxp3 mRNA and interleukin 2 receptor in kidney transplantation recipients / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, Foxp3 mRNA and soluble interlukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) in the peripheral blood of kidney transplantation recipients and to evaluate their effect on the diagnosis of acute rejection. Methods Forty-two renal transplant recipients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells proportion, Foxp3 mRNA and sIL-2R of pre-transplantation and those of day 7,14, 28, 56 of post-transplantation were measured by flow cytometer, fluorescent quantization PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Biochemistry appliance was used to detect serum creatinine. The diagnosis of acute rejection in transplanted kidney was based on the clinical symptoms, the laboratory examinations, Doppler ultrasound and biopsy. Results (1)At day 7, 14, 28, 56 of post-transplantation, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T ceils proportion, Foxp3 mRNA level in acute rejection group were significantly decreased compared with those in non-acute rejection group. (2) There were significant differences of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ regulatory Tcells[(9.22±3.53)% vs (6.09±1.99)%, P<0.01], Foxp3 mRNA[(0.82±0.36)×10-3 vs (0.50±0.28)×10-3, P<0.01] and sIL-2R levels [(856.30±108,24) U/ml vs (247.35±11.24) U/ml, P<0.01]between patients of pre-transplantation and healthy control group. (3)Plasma CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells [(16.53±4.14)%] and the expression of Foxp3 mRNA [(4.97±1.94)×10-3] was significantly increased, but sIL-2R level [(463.72±31.23) U/ml] was significantly decreased as the transplanted renal function was restored (all P<0.01). (4) Plasma CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells [(12.18~2.86)%] and the expression of Foxp3 mRNA [(3.15±1.22)×10-3] was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and sIL-2R level [(748.36±115.41) U/ml] was significantly increased (P<0.01) when acute rejection occurred. The above changes had an earlier onset than the change of Scr. (5)The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells was positively correlated with the Foxp3 mRNA level (P<0.01), but was not correlated with sIL-2R level in all the patients. Conclusion The measurement of these markers in peripheral blood may be an important guideline to the diagnosis and prognosis of acute rejection in renal transplant recipients.