title: Posttransplant sCD30 as a predictor of kidney graft outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reliable markers for assessing the biological effect of immunosuppressive drugs and identification of transplant recipients at risk of developing rejection are not available.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective multicenter study, we investigated whether posttransplant measurement of the T-cell activation marker soluble CD30 (sCD30) can be used for estimating the risk of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. Pre- and posttransplant sera of 2322 adult deceased-donor kidney recipients were tested for serum sCD30 content using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  sCD30 decreased posttransplant and reached a nadir on day 30. Patients with a high sCD30 of more than or equal to 40 U/mL on day 30 showed a subsequent graft survival rate after 3 years of 78.3±4.1%, significantly lower than the 90.3±1.0% rate in recipients with a low sCD30 on day 30 of less than 40 U/mL (log-rank P<0.001; Cox hazard ratio 2.02, P<0.001). Although an association was found between pre- and posttransplant sCD30 levels, patients with high sCD30 on posttransplant day 30 demonstrated significantly lower 3-year graft survival irrespective of the pretransplant level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that posttransplant measurement of sCD30 on day 30 is a predictor of subsequent graft loss in kidney transplant recipients and that sCD30 may potentially serve as an indicator for adjustment of immunosuppressive medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. caner.suesal@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Caner
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Süsal
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Döhler
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.forename: Kaija T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Salmela
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weimer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeier
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Opelz
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen