Active TGF-beta1 expression in kidney transplantation: a comparative study of cyclosporin-A (CyA) and tacrolimus (FK506).
Chronic rejection is a major cause of graft dysfunction following kidney transplantation. This fibroproliferative disease may be promoted by overproduction of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Previous studies have suggested that cyclosporin-A (CyA) might increase production of this growth factor. The current study was designed to measure the expression of TGF-beta in renal transplant biopsies from patients immunosuppressed with either CyA or tacrolimus. Paraffin-embedded renal biopsies were sectioned, dewaxed and incubated with primary antibody against active TGF-beta1 antibody. After washing, the sections were treated with secondary antibody conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). In each case the sections were assessed by semi-quantitative scanning laser confocal microscopy. Biopsies from patients receiving CyA expressed significantly more active TGF-beta1 than biopsies from patients receiving tacrolimus (P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test). The increased level of active TGF-beta1 expression in renal biopsies of patients receiving CyA may indicate a mechanism of chronic rejection.
Mohamed
M A
MA
Department of Surgery, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Framlington Place, UK. M.A.S.Mohamed@ncl.ac.uk
Robertson
H
H
Booth
T A
TA
Balupuri
S
S
Gerstenkorn
C
C
Kirby
J A
JA
Talbot
D
D
D001706:Biopsy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D016559:Tacrolimus