title: TGF-β1 expression in kidney allograft protocol biopsies during cyclosporine A therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  TGF-β1 expression has been described to increase along with time from transplantation and has also been linked to allograft dysfunction and toxic effects of cyclosporine. Our aim was to correlate intragraft TGF-β1 expression with cyclosporine exposure after kidney transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Altogether 53 kidney allograft protocol biopsies from 42 patients on a low-dose cyclosporine-based regimen obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months were classified according to Banff and the chronic allograft damage index (CADI). TGF-β1 expression in tubules, glomeruli, vessels, and inflammatory cells was semi-quantitatively scored and correlated with cyclosporine concentrations (C0 and C2), CADI, and graft function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TGF-β1 expression was mildly increased along time from transplantation, but the results were not statistically significant. TGF-β1 expression was neither related to CADI nor to the use of ACE inhibitors/ARB. TGF-β1 expression in the kidney was not correlated with C0 or C2 levels or kidney graft function during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In protocol biopsies from patients on low-dose cyclosporine regimen, expression of TGB-β1 was not significantly increased along time since transplantation, and did not correlate with cyclosporine exposure. Our findings suggest that the toxic effects of low-dose cyclosporine on TGF-β expression may be milder than previously thought.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. fernanda.ortiz@hus.fi
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Ilkka T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Helanterä
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Räisänen-Sokolowski
authors.forename: Eero O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Honkanen
authors.forename: Petri K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Koskinen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016572:Cyclosporine