[Dynamics of expression of Toll-like receptor 4 early after renal transplantation: a clinical research].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the dynamics of expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), an innate immune molecule, in patients early after renal transplantation and the role thereof in the renal transplantation immunity.


METHODS
Eighteen patients early after renal transplantation were divided into rejection group (n = 3) and non-rejection group (n = 15) according to the rejection episode record within two weeks. 1, 4, and 7 days after transplantation peripheral blood samples were collected. Three-color fluorescent staining flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of TLR4 and CD80 in the CD14 positive monocytes.


RESULTS
(1) The expression rates of TLR4 in the monocytes 1, 4, and 7 days after transplantation were (21.38 +/- 16.02)%, (11.81 +/- 8.49)% and (4.15 +/- 3.80)% respectively in the non-rejection group with a downtrend; and the expression rate of TLR4 at the 7th day was significantly lower than those at the 1st and 4th days (both P < 0.05); the expression rates of TLR4 in the monocytes 1, 4, and 7 days after transplantation were (3.59 +/- 1.18)%, (21.5 +/- 20.54)% and (17.05 +/- 12.92)% respectively in the rejection group, showing an increasing trend, however, without significant differences among any 2 values (all P > 0.05). (2) The link relative ratio of TLR4 expression of day 4 vs day 1 after renal transplantation in the rejection group was significantly higher than that in the non-rejection group (P < 0.05). The link relative ratio of TLR4 expression of the day 7 vs day 4 after renal transplantation in the rejection group was significantly higher than that in the non-rejection group (P < 0.05). One case of the rejection group underwent removal of the graft because of irreversible rejection at day 5 after renal transplantation, in which the TLR4 expression rate was decreased day 7. (3) In the non-rejection group, the expression of CD80 at the days 1, 4, and 7 after transplantation displayed a downtrend, however, without significant differences between any 2 values (all P > 0.05). In the rejection group, the expression of CD80 1, 4, and 7 days after transplantation were elevated in different degrees, however, without significant differences between any 2 values (all P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The dynamics of expression of TLR4 in the patients early after renal transplantation is accordance with their immune state. The link relative ratio of TLR4 expression in the rejection group is significantly higher than that in the non-rejection group.
Yu
Yu-Ming
YM
Department of Organ Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Yu
Li-Xin
LX
Liu
Yan-Jun
YJ
Deng
Wen-Feng
WF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013997:Time Factors; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4