Dynamics of circulating dendritic cells and cytokines after kidney transplantation—No effect of remote ischaemic conditioning

Abstract

Inflammation resulting from ischaemia/reperfusion injury can cause kidney graft dysfunction, increase the risk of delayed graft function and possibly reduce long‐term graft survival. Remote ischaemic conditioning may protect against ischaemia/reperfusion injury and mitigate the immunological response to the graft. We investigated the immunological effects of remote ischaemic conditioning on kidney transplantation from deceased donors in the randomized CONTEXT study. Three circulating dendritic cell (DC) subtypes identified in peripheral blood from kidney transplant recipients [myeloid DCs, plasmacytoid DCs and immunoglobulin‐like transcript (ILT)3+ DCs] were measured at baseline, days 1, 3 and 5 and 1 and 3 months after transplantation. We also quantified 21 cytokines at baseline, days 1 and 5 and 3 months after transplantation. Neither DC counts nor cytokine levels differed between patients receiving remote ischaemic conditioning and controls; however, several parameters exhibited dynamic and parallel alterations in the two groups over time, reflecting the immunological response to the kidney transplantation and immunosuppression.

Effect of remote ischemic conditioning on the immune-inflammatory profile in patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock in a randomized controlled trial

“…Several studies in humans have sought to determine the potential mediators of RIC and have measured a number of humoral and immunomodulatory molecules, including plasma levels of cytokines, hormones, and factors 33 – 36 . These findings are summarized in Supplementary Table 2 .…”

Dendritic Cells as an Immunotherapy Tool

“…This process occurs through tolerogenic DCs responsible for regulating the immune response to avoid rejection of organ and tissue transplants. 28 In certain transplants, such as stem cell transplants for patients with hematological neoplasms, immune adaptation occurs not only through donor T cells and natural killer cells but also through interferon-gamma 1 and 2, promoting dendritic cell licensing and, consequently, an local immune response 29,30 .…”

“…31 Therefore, understanding how DCs regulate the adaptive immune response to be favorable to the patient after transplantation is of utmost importance. The ultimate goal is not only to reduce the risk of rejection but also to inhibit the inflammatory response and the immunological alert state present in any transplants 28 .…”