title: Peripheral regulatory cells immunophenotyping in kidney transplant recipients with different clinical profiles: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Regulatory Foxp3-expressing T cells (Tregs), IL-10-producing B cells (Bregs), and IDO-expressing dendritic cells (DCregs) downregulate inflammatory processes and induces peripheral tolerance. These subpopulations also might participate in maintaining allograft immunological quiescence in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with an excellent long-term graft function under immunosuppression (ELTGF). The aim of the study was to characterize and to enumerate peripheral Tregs, Bregs, and DCregs in KTR with an ELTGF for more than 5 years after transplant. Fourteen KTR with an ELTGF, 9 KTR with chronic graft dysfunction (CGD), and 12 healthy donors (HDs) were included in the study. CD19(+)-expressing peripheral B lymphocytes were purified by positive selection. IL-10-producing B cells, CD4(+)/CD25(hi), and CD8(+)/CD28(-) Tregs, as well as CCR6(+)/CD123(+)/IDO(+) DCs, were quantitated by flow cytometry. IL-10-producing Bregs (immature/transitional, but not CD19(+)/CD38(hi)/CD24(hi)/CD27(+)B10 cells), CCR6(+)/CD123(+)/IDO(+) DCs, and Tregs from ELTGF patients had similar or higher percentages versus HD (P < 0.05). By contrast, number of Tregs, DCregs, and Bregs except for CD27(+)B10 cells from CGD patients had lower levels versus HD and ELTGF patients (P < 0.05). The findings of this exploratory study might suggest that in ELTGF patients, peripheral tolerance mechanisms could be directly involved in the maintenance of a quiescent immunologic state and graft function stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, 14000 Mexico City, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furuzawa-Carballeda
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Perla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simancas
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramos-Bello
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simancas
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Bostock
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vilatobá
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gabilondo
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Granados
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morales-Buenrostro
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alberú
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Llorente