Expression of interleukin-21, interleukin-21 receptor alpha and related type I cytokines by intravascular graft leukocytes during acute renal allograft rejection.
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of the type I cytokine family, regulates central functions of immunity. Within this family, signaling is mediated via a receptor complex consisting of a high-affinity receptor chain and the common gamma-chain (IL-2Rgamma, CD132). We analyze the mRNA expression of IL-21, IL-21 receptor-alpha (IL-21Ralpha) and family members IL-15, IL-2Rgamma, IL-21Ralpha, IL-15Ralpha, IL-2/15Rbeta, as well as IL-2Ralpha (CD25) in leukocytes isolated by vascular perfusion of rat renal allografts. Mononuclear leukocytes expressed increased amounts of IL-21Ralpha mRNA and protein during acute rejection. Most IL-21Ralpha-positive cells were monocytes. Furthermore, IL-21 and IL-2Ralpha mRNA expression was strongly increased. No changes in IL-2Rgamma, IL-2/15Rbeta, IL-15, and IL-15Ralpha mRNA expression levels were seen. In conclusion, we demonstrate that IL-21Ralpha expression is induced in intravascular monocytes in vivo in response to allogeneic transplantation. The function of the IL-21/IL-21R system in monocytes and during acute allograft rejection remains to be established.
Hecker
Andreas
A
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, University of Giessen Lung Center, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, D-35385 Giessen, Germany.
Kaufmann
Andreas
A
Hecker
Matthias
M
Padberg
Winfried
W
Grau
Veronika
V
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D019409:Interleukin-15; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins; D053647:Receptors, Interleukin-15; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000098546:Interleukin-21