B-cell-related biomarkers of tolerance are up-regulated in rejection-free kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Molecular signatures have recently been identified in operationally tolerant long-term kidney transplant patients; however, their expression in patients on immunosuppression remains unclear.

Methods: In this prospective study, the gene expression profiles of eight selected tolerance-associated genes (MS4A1, CD79B, TCL1A, TMEM176B, FOXP3, TOAG-1, MAN1A1, and TLR5) in the peripheral blood of 67 kidney transplant recipients at days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 90, and at 6 and 12 months, and in graft biopsies were measured. Similarly, using flow cytometry, CD45CD19CD3 B-cell counts were evaluated in the follow-up.

Regulatory T cells in kidney transplant recipients: the effect of induction immunosuppression therapy.

Background: Regulatory T cells have been suggested to down-regulate the alloimmune response. The aim of this prospective open study was to evaluate the effects of different inductive agents on peripheral blood regulatory T cells in kidney transplant patients and to analyse their association with short-term graft outcome.

Methods: Regulatory and effector T cell numbers in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry in 71 prospectively followed kidney transplant recipients at postoperative day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 and 90.