title: Role of CXCR3 in cellular but not humoral renal allograft rejection.
abstract: CXCR3, a chemokine receptor mainly expressed by T cells, is involved in animal transplant models and in human allograft rejection. CXCR3 expression was localized in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded renal allograft biopsies without signs of rejection (C4d-negative, Banff 0, n = 16), with C4d deposits as a sign of humoral rejection (C4d-positive, Banff 0, n = 8), with cellular rejection (C4d-negative, Banff I, n = 7) and with signs of both cellular and humoral rejection (C4d-positive, Banff 1, n = 5). Small, round infiltrating cells were CXCR3-positive. A high number of these cells was present in biopsies with cellular rejection (independent of C4d deposition). CXCR3-positive cells diffusely infiltrated the interstitium, including the tubular epithelium (tubulitis). CXCR3 scores and the area of CXCR3 staining were significantly higher in cellular rejection, when compared to biopsies without rejection, and with deposition of C4d alone. CXCR3-positive cells infiltrate renal allografts during cellular rejection, whereas C4d deposition is not associated with the recruitment of these cells.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Poliklinik, Klinikum-Innenstadt, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. stephan.segerer@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Segerer
authors.forename: Georg A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Böhmig
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Exner
authors.forename: Dontscho
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kerjaschki
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Regele
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schlöndorff
mesh_terms: D015935:Complement C4b / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: C515187:CXCR3 protein, human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D015935:Complement C4b; C032261:complement C4d