title: Interleukin-17 gene expression and serum levels in acute rejected and non-rejected liver transplant patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interleukin-17 (IL-17), as a potent proinflammatory cytokine, has a critical role in post liver transplant outcomes. However, there is not much information about the effects of IL-17 cytokine on acute liver rejection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of IL-17 in post-liver transplant acute rejection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety seven adult liver transplant patients who enrolled in this cross sectional study were divided into Non-Acute Rejected (Non-AR) and Acute Rejected (AR) patient groups. Three blood samples were collected from each patient in days 1, 4 and 7 post liver transplantation. The IL-17 mRNA levels were evaluated using an in-house real time PCR protocol. IL-17 protein levels were also analyzed in Non-AR, AR and also control groups using ELISA method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IL-17 mRNA expression level continuously increased in AR patients in all days of follow-up post liver transplantation. IL-17 expression was, however, down regulated after day 4 post-transplant follow-up in Non-AR patients. Both IL-17 mRNA expression and protein levels were also significantly increased in AR patients compared with Non-AR ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these findings, significant increase of IL-17 mRNA and protein levels in AR patients highlights the important role of IL-17 in acute liver rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics, Science and Research, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran.
authors.forename: Afsoon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afshari
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yaghobi
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darbooie
authors.forename: Negar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Azarpira
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17; D012333:RNA, Messenger