title: Evaluation of apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes of renal transplant patients.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of apoptosis and the expression of FasL and IL-2 genes in apoptotic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at different posttransplant periods. Three groups of patients were studied: group 1, kidney transplant recipients at least 1 year posttransplant (n = 17); group 2, kidney transplant recipients at least 5 years posttransplant (n = 15); and a control group composed of 7 healthy subjects. Apoptosis was detected by annexin flow cytometry and gene expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in groups 1 (42 +/- 4%) and 2 (37 +/- 3%) than the controls (27 +/- 2%; P < .0001). Apoptotic cells in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 (P < .005). A significant difference in FasL expression was observed between groups 1 and 2 (P < .001) and the immunosuppressive regimen. These findings suggest that PBMC of kidney transplant recipients are more susceptible to activation-induced cell death and that the Fas-FasL pathway is involved in this process.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduation Nephrology Program, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Division of Nephrology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003 Brazil.
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Carpio
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Aquino-Dias
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Prochnow
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Manfro
authors.forename: L F S
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D016923:Cell Death; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents