Aims: To determine the number of CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+), CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CXCR5(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in renal transplant recipients that are transplanted stable (TS), or experiencing accelerated rejection (ALR), or acute rejection (AR).
Methods: Renal transplantation was conducted in 28 patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF). The number of peripheral CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+), CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+), or CD4(+)CXCR5(+)Foxp3(+) T cells and the serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured in pre- and post-transplant patients and these results were compared to 10 healthy controls (HC). Correlation between CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) and serum creatinine (Cr) levels, or Cr and IL-10 levels in TS patients was also determined.
Results: The number of CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells was significantly increased in patients with ESRF, as compared to HC. Stratification analysis demonstrated that TS patients contained greater numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CXCR5(+)Foxp3(+) T cells, higher levels of serum IL-10, and fewer numbers of CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells than ESRF patients. In contrast, ALR and AR patients contained fewer numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CXCR5(+)Foxp3(+) T cells, greater numbers of CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells, and lower levels of serum IL-10 than ESRF patients. In TS patients, the numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells were positively correlated with eGFR and serum Cr levels, respectively.
Conclusion: An imbalance of different types of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells might be involved in renal transplant rejection.
Keywords: Foxp3; IL-10; regulatory T cells; renal transplant.