IL-17 expression as a possible predictive parameter for subclinical renal allograft rejection

Abstract

In the present study we have tried to establish the role of IL-17 in subclinical renal allograft rejection. In this animal model, renal grafts from BN (RT1n) were transplanted heterotopically into LEW (RT1l) rats. As controls, LEW grafts were transplanted into LEW rats. The histopathological examination demonstrated that the changes in the allograft kidney on day 2 were similar to those ranked as borderline changes according to the Banff classification scale. On day 2, the serum level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were the same as on day 1. The examination of allograft cytokines mRNA showed that IL-17 mRNA expressed earlier on the second postoperative day, peaked at day 5, and then declined, becoming almost undetectable at day 9, when most rats died. IL-17 antigen was also proven, by histochemical staining, to be expressed early, however we could not find the same early appearance on other Th1/Th2 cytokines. In human renal biopsy samples, the IL-17 antigen could be found scattered around in the borderline changed rejected renal allografts without evidence of a serum creatinine increase, but was undetectable both in normal controls and in renal transplant tissue without signs of rejection. IL-17 mRNA was detected in the mononuclear cells of the urinary sediment of patients suffering from borderline subclinical rejection. From the above results we can hypothesize that IL-17 could serve as a predictive parameter for borderline subclinical renal allograft rejection in the future.

Th17 promotes acute rejection following liver transplantation in rats

“…Elevated IL-17 levels have been associated with renal and lung graft rejection in humans (Loong et al, 2002;Vanaudenaerde et al, 2008). Study in acute rat renal allograft rejection model has also identified an elevation of IL-17 protein as early as 2 d after transplantation (Hsieh et al, 2001). Th17 expression was markedly increased in inflamed transplants and draining lymph nodes at the early stage of allocorneal rejection in mouse (Chen H. et al, 2009).…”

Higher infiltration by Th17 cells compared with regulatory T cells is associated with severe acute T-cell-mediated graft rejection

“…As their clinical significance in autoimmune disorder has been revealed, the interplay between Treg and Th17 cells is now of interest in transplantation (Loong et al, 2000;Hsieh et al, 2001;San Segundo et al, 2008;Crispim et al, 2009;Mitchell et al, 2009). However, the significance of their interplay has not been investigated in acute T cell-mediated rejection (ATCMR).…”

Lung Diseases - Selected State of the Art Reviews

“…Moreover, elevated IL-17 mRNA and protein levels could be detected in renal biopsy specimens and urinary sediment from patients found to have subclinical rejection when compared with control samples without any evidence of rejections (Loong et al 2002). Additionally, elevated IL-17 mRNA and protein levels were detectable as early as the second post-operative day in a rat renal allograft model and its appearance is followed by the local production of pro-inflammatory molecules known to be induced by IL-17 (Hsieh et al 2001).…”