title: Analysis of intragraft cytokine expression during early reperfusion after liver transplantation using semi-quantitative RT-PCR.
abstract: In the present study the intergraft mRNA formation immediately before and after transplantation of human livers was investigated by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The analysis was carried out with mRNA isolated from biopsies routinely taken perioperatively and included the determination of the expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and beta-actin. It was found that biopsies obtained 30-60 min after reperfusion of the liver graft contained significantly higher levels of mRNA for TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 than biopsies collected subsequently to cold preservation. No such differences were obtained for TGF-beta and IL-10 mRNA. Considerable interindivdual differences were observed concerning the degree of inducibility, in particular for IL-6 mRNA. Retrospective comparison with the clinical course of the individual patients revealed a close and statistically significant correlation between low IL-6 expression and the occurrence of acute rejection episodes within 30 postoperative days, while high IL-6 mRNA levels coincided with the absence of rejection signs. High values for TNF-alpha mRNA were associated with ensuing acute rejection episodes.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Forschergruppe Schock und Multiorganversagen, Zentrum für Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flach
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Speidel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flohé
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Börgermann
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Dresen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erhard
authors.forename: F U
authors.initials: FU
authors.lastname: Schade
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D015424:Reperfusion; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10