Immunomonitoring of renal transplant recipients in the early posttransplant period by analysis of cytokine gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Repuncturing the Renal Biopsy

“…A correlation has been found between the clinical parameters in renal patients and their gene expression profiles obtained from urine and blood samples (2,3).…”

Effect of cyclosporine, dexamethasone, and human CTLA4-Ig on production of cytokines in lymphocytes of clinically normal cats and cats undergoing renal transplantation

“…It has been established in human medicine and through the use of experimental models that cytokines play an important role in immune defense, immunopathologic processes, and allograft rejection. Although information exists for animals used in transplantation experiments 37,38,49,50 as well as for in vivo 15,17,23,28,29,51 and in vitro 25,52,53 studies in humans regarding the effects of immunosuppressive treatment on cytokines critical to the rejection process, limited information currently exists for these effects in cats. In 1 report, 54 the effects of cyclosporine on the expression of inflammatory cytokines for PBMCs in 5 cats was evaluated by the use of Con A as a stimulus.…”

“…However, an increase in IL-10 expression in allografts undergoing rejection has been identified in some studies. 24,29 Conflicting information also exists in the literature with regard to corticosteroids; some studies 58,59 have revealed an inhibition of IL-10 production, whereas other studies 53,60 have found the opposite effect. In the study reported here, dexamethasone alone did not suppress IL-10 production; however, when dexamethasone was combined with cyclosporine, there was a significant decrease in the production of IL-10.…”

“…In contrast, IL-4 and IL-10 are pivotal in humoral responses and may play a role in the vasculopathy and fibrosis associated with chronic rejection or allograft tolerance. 24,25,29 With the many drawbacks associated with the immunosuppressive treatments currently used, research in the field of transplantation immunology has focused on the development of strategies that would prevent graft rejection but that do not cause global immunosuppression associated with increased susceptibility to infection. It currently is proposed that naïve T cells require 2 distinct signals for activation.…”