Transient increase of activated regulatory T cells early after kidney transplantation.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial in controlling allospecific immune responses. However, studies in human kidney recipients regarding the contribution of polyspecific Tregs have provided differing results and studies on alloreactive Tregs are missing completely. In this retrospective study, we specifically analyzed activated CD4CD25FOXP3GARP Tregs in 17 patients of a living donor kidney transplantation cohort longitudinally over 24 months by flow cytometry (FOXP3: forkhead box protein 3, GARP: glycoprotein A repetitions predominant).

The c.503T>C Polymorphism in the Human KLRB1 Gene Alters Ligand Binding and Inhibitory Potential of CD161 Molecules.

Studying genetic diversity of immunologically relevant molecules can improve our knowledge on their functional spectrum in normal immune responses and may also uncover a possible role of different variants in diseases. We characterized the c.503T>C polymorphism in the human KLRB1 gene (Killer cell lectin-like receptor, subfamily B, member 1) coding for the cell surface receptor CD161.

Pre-transplant immune state defined by serum markers and alloreactivity predicts acute rejection after living donor kidney transplantation.

Acute rejection (AR) remains a major cause for long-term kidney allograft failure. Reliable immunological parameters suitable to define the pre-transplant immune state and hence the individual risk of graft rejection are highly desired to preferably adapt the immunosuppressive regimen in advance. Donor and third party alloreactivities were determined by mixed lymphocyte cultures.

Decreased frequency of peripheral CD4(+) CD161(+) Th(17) -precursor cells in kidney transplant recipients on long-term therapy with Belatacept.

Clinical trials have pointed out the promising role of co-stimulation blocker Belatacept for improvement of graft function and avoidance of undesired side-effects associated with calcineurin-inhibitors (CNI). However, due to the worldwide limited availability of appropriate patients, almost no data exist to assess the effects of sustained application of this immunomodulator on the recipient's immune system. The aim of this study was to reveal specific alterations in the composition of immunologic subpopulations potentially involved in development of tolerance or chronic graft rejection following long-term Belatacept therapy.

Association of high anti-donor alloreactivity and low frequency of FoxP3-expressing cells prior to kidney transplantation with acute graft rejection.

Acute rejection (AR) is an important factor for the development of chronic allograft dysfunction following kidney Tx. Identification of patients who would benefit from closer clinical surveillance to allow individual tailoring of immunosuppression and hence reducing the rate of AR is highly desired. Aim of this study was to investigate the association of pre-transplant alloreactivity and frequency of regulatory T cells (T(regs) ) with AR following living-donor kidney Tx.

Impact of Basiliximab on regulatory T-cells early after kidney transplantation: down-regulation of CD25 by receptor modulation.

Monoclonal anti-CD25-antibodies are successfully applied in organ transplantation to reduce the incidence of acute graft rejection. However, targeting the CD25 molecule might not only affect activated T-cells but also regulatory T-cells (T(regs)) constitutively expressing the CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low)FoxP3(+) phenotype. In this study, we investigated the influence of the anti-CD25-antibody Basiliximab on the frequency of T(regs) early after kidney transplantation comparing individuals receiving/not receiving induction therapy (n = 14 and n = 7).