FoxP3 positive T cells in graft biopsies from living donor kidney transplants after donor-specific transfusions.
Donor-specific transfusions (DST) induce allograft tolerance in animals. Evidence is growing that FoxP3+ regulatory T cells are associated with tolerance in humans. Forty-four biopsies from 69 living donor kidney transplant recipients (LDT) after DST, 53 biopsies from 69 matched deceased donor transplant recipients (DDT), obtained for graft dysfunction, and 12 biopsies from LDT without DST were retrospectively analyzed. FoxP3 positivity was more frequent in LDT/DST than in DDT biopsies (67% vs. 44%, P=0.02). Considering only biopsies with acute rejection, FoxP3 positivity was observed in 92% (11/12) after LDT/DST, but only in 50% (6/12) after DDT (P=0.03). The number of FoxP3+ T cells per total infiltrating cells in rejection biopsies was higher (P<0.05) from LDT/DST (4.1%) than from DDT or LDT (2.6%) without DST (2.5%). Six-year graft survival was better in patients with LDT/DST than with DDT (87.5% vs. 79.7%, P=0.04). The present investigation demonstrates an association between DST and FoxP3+ T cells. The effect of DST on regulatory T cells deserves further analysis in transplantation.
Eisenberger
Ute
U
Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland. ute.eisenberger@insel.ch
Seifried
Andrea
A
Patey
Natacha
N
Kappeler
Andreas
A
Noel
Laure-Hélène
LH
Frey
Felix J
FJ
Körner
Meike
M
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors