[Expression of Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood monocytes in patients after kidney transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the level of Foxp3 mRNA in the peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) with acute rejection or chronic allograft nephropathy after kidney allotransplantation.


METHODS
Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine Foxp3 mRNA expression in the PBMCs from 16 patients with acute rejection, 8 patients with chronic allograft nephropathy, 8 patients at stable stage after kidney transplantation, 8 patients of end-stage renal disease, and 8 normal controls.


RESULTS
The level of Foxp3 mRNA in the PBMCs was significantly lower in patients with acute rejection than that in patients with chronic allograft nephropathy (P<0.01). Foxp3 mRNA expression was significantly lower in patients with chronic allograft nephropathy than that in the normal controls, the end-stage renal disease group, and stable stage group (P<0.01). The level of Foxp3 mRNA was not significantly different in the PBMCs among the normal controls, the end-stage renal disease group, and the stable stage group (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The level of Foxp3 mRNA expressed in PBMCs can reflect the status of renal allograft, and may be a noninvasive biomarker for diagnosing acute rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy.
Department of Transplantation, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
Cheng
C
Zhou
Haitao
H
Liu
Hui
H
Zhou
Xiangrong
X
Zhu
Xiang
X
Ding
Zhi
Z
Chen
Jinliang
J
Xie
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*
D015415:Biomarkers; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger