title: Cytotoxic molecule mRNA expression in chronically rejected human kidney allografts.
abstract: The pathogenesis of immunological and nonimmunological components that cause chronic kidney allograft nephropathy (CAN), is not yet completely understood. To explore the possible contribution of alloreactive cytotoxic T cells, we analyzed the transcription of cytotoxic molecules such as granzyme B and perforin using semiquantitative RT-PCR on surgically removed grafts obtained from two groups: group 1 (n = 10) were cases of CAN; group 2 (n = 3) had no CAN. Among group 1 kidneys, granzyme-B was expressed in 7 of 10, whereas perforin was detectable in 9 of 10 cases; their detection was not related to the presence of superimposed signs of acute graft lesions. Cytotoxic molecules were never found in group 2 kidneys. These results show that explanted chronically rejected grafts display cytotoxic molecule transcripts in addition to Th2 type cytokines, such as IL-10, IL-3, and IL-6, suggesting that both cellular and humoral alloreactive mechanisms may play important roles in CAN pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Transplant Immunology Unit, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy. nocera@hsanmartino.liguria.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nocera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tagliamacco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rolla
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Palma
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Del Galdo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ginevri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barocci
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Valente
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D053804:Granzymes; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C509213:GZMB protein, human; D053804:Granzymes; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases