T lymphocyte expansion is triggered through interaction of interleukin 2 (IL-2) with its high-affinity receptor (IL-2R). This molecule is a heterodimer comprising an antigen-inducible component, the Tac chain (P55). Activation of T lymphocytes also generates a soluble form of this P55 called S-IL-2R. S-IL-2R is elevated in many T-cell-related pathologies (leukemia, autoimmunity, etc.). In graft recipients, rejection is a result of T-cell activation by graft antigens and therefore might induce a release of S-IL-2R in the circulation; this parameter is now said to be a good indicator of rejection. We have performed a study in renal graft recipients in order to assess the usefulness of circulating S-IL-2R particularly to discriminate the origin of renal failure in cases of rejection or of cyclosporin-A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity. We demonstrated that there are no differences between isolated values in the clinical groups at the time of diagnosis. Variations in S-IL-2R are increased compared to steady-state periods during rejection and cytomegalovirus infections, although not in CsA toxicity episodes. However, at the individual level there are too many false-positive and false-negative results, making this parameter no more meaningful than serum creatinine levels alone or even in association (as tested in logistic discriminant analysis). In addition, it seems that the variations in S-IL-2R are partly related to renal function itself, as suggested by the correlation between S-IL-2R levels and serum creatinine levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)