Lack of suppressor T cells in renal transplant recipients and activation by aminophylline.
Immunoregulatory T-cell subsets were determined in 16 patients after renal transplantation. Suppressor and helper T lymphocytes were isolated with the aid of theophylline according to the method described by Shore et al. [1]. The system model used for assessing the function of these subsets was the local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR). Lack of suppressor T cells was found in 6 out of the 16 patients, all 6 in acute steroid nonresponsive rejection crisis. Four of these patients received aminophylline per os at a dose of 1000 mg/kg per day and the T-lymphocyte subsets were retested several days afterwards. Active suppressor T cells (TS) appeared in all 4 treated patients, paralleled by disappearance of rejection crisis and a dramatic decrease of serum creatinine levels. These findings suggest that the inactivation of the immunoregulatory suppressor subset, probably by the immunosuppressive treatment, may play an important role in acute rejection and that activation of this subset of T suppressors could be of beneficial effect and prevent renal rejection.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000187:drug effects; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology
D000628:Aminophylline; D003404:Creatinine; D013806:Theophylline