Detection on dynamic changes of endothelial cell specific molecule-1 in acute rejection after renal transplantation.

Objective: To investigate the value of dynamic monitoring of endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) in diagnosing acute rejection after renal transplantation.

Methods: ESM-1 expression was observed in peripheral blood circulating endothelial cells and renal allografts after renal transplantation, and was compared to the flow cytometry (FCM) results of urine HLA-DR(+) lymphocytes.

Results: In patients with acute rejection, ESM-1 mRNA and protein expression increased significantly (P < .01). Real-time polymerase chain reaction detection of ESM-1 mRNA in peripheral blood cells was more sensitive and specific than FCM detection of urine HLA-DR(+) lymphocytes. Moreover, real-time PCR detection is characterized by convenient sampling and good reproducibility.

Conclusion: ESM-1 is a new marker for endothelial cell activation. However, its significance during acute rejection in renal transplantation is still unclear. Our study demonstrates that ESM-1 may reflect the degree of endothelial cell injury in renal allografts, and that it may serve as a highly sensitive and specific marker for acute rejection after renal transplantation.