Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 in acute rejection after renal transplantation

Chen Chang-qing; Shi Bing-yi; Cai Ming; Zhao Yu-bo; Jin Bo-quan; Wang Chun-yan; Han Yong; Xiao Li; Zhou Wen-qiang; Li Zhou-li

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.05.013

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 is a newly discovered costimulatory molecule. It has been studied more in tumor and autoimmune diseases, less in the field of kidney transplantation. <br> OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 in acute rejection after renal transplantation. <br> METHODS:Fifty patients undergoing renal transplantation were divided into acute rejection group (20 cases) and stable graft function group (30 cases). Another 30 healthy persons served as control group. Blood samples were extracted from the peripheral blood. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 in the serum showed significant differences in the acute rejection group, stable graft function group and healthy control group (F=70.008 1, P=0.000 0), but showed no difference in peripheral blood lymphocytes of three groups (F=1.865 6, P=0.161 7). Compared with the healthy control group, the expression levels of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 in peripheral blood lymphocytes of acute rejection group and stable graft function group were significantly decreased (P=0.000 0). In addition, the acute rejection group had a lower cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 expression than the stable graft function group (P=0.000 0). In renal transplant rejection, the expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 in serum was reduced, showing some correlation with acute rejection after renal transplnatation. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 might be involved in the rejection.