[Association between TGF-Beta1 in allograft and chronic allograft nephropathy].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between TGF-beta1 in allograft and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN).


METHODS
The levels of urine TGF-beta1 were tested in 146 recipients whose renal function were normal from September 1, 2000 to January 31, 2001. Twenty recipients with the highest level of urine TGF-beta1 were classified in group A, while 20 other recipients with the lowest level of urine TGF-beta1 were classified in group B. In these two groups biopsies were carried out in 14 cases and 12 cases respectively, and TGF-beta1 mRNA in the biopsies was measured by RT-PCR. The levels of TGF-beta1 in the blood were also measured in the two groups. Three years later, the renal function was compared between the two groups. Biopsies were carried out in renal recipients whose creatinine is higher than normal.


RESULTS
The level of TGF-beta1 in the blood showed no significant difference between the two groups; 3 years after transplantation, the loss of renal function in group A was severer than that in group B. The number levels of CAN cases in group A was larger than that in group B. The expression levels of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta1 mRNA of the allografts were higher in group A than in group B; there were statistically significant differences between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that there is an association between TGF-beta1 in kidneys and CAN. The level of urine TGF-beta1 after renal transplantation may predict future renal function.
Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.
Ping-xian
PX
Wang
Ming-qi
MQ
Fan
Gui-zhi
GZ
Gong
Hua-ying
HY
Xu
Chi-bing
CB
Huang
Gen-tu
GT
Zhang
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1