Open AccessSelective intra‐graft apoptosis and down‐regulation of lymphocyte bcl‐2, iNOs and CD95L expression in kidney‐pancreas transplanted patients after anti‐Thymoglobulin induction
Author(s) -
Fiorina Paolo,
Torriani Gabriele,
Gremizzi Chiara,
Davalli Alberto M.,
Orsenigo Elena,
Ventre Marta Bruno,
Dell'Antonio Giacomo,
Carlo Valerio,
Rossini Silvano,
Secchi Antonio
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
transplant international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.998
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1432-2277
pISSN - 0934-0874
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2004.tb00393.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lymphocyte , immunosuppression , apoptosis , thymoglobulin , kidney , flow cytometry , cd8 , annexin , pancreas , immunology , transplantation , peripheral blood lymphocyte , pathology , kidney transplantation , immune system , biology , biochemistry
Intra‐graft infiltrating cells apoptosis was evaluated in 20 consecutive kidney‐pancreas transplanted (KP) patients without kidney rejection. Two fine‐needle aspirated biopsy (FNAB) and two peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) samples were obtained 14 days after transplantation. Immunosuppression was based on anti‐Thymoglobulins (ATG) induction for 7 days and cyclosporine/mofetil mycophenolate as maintenance therapy. Ten matched healthy subjects were chosen as controls for PBL. Lymphocyte phenotypes and activation markers, apoptotic rate and lymphocyte expression of pro/antiapoptotic molecules were analysed by flow cytometry analysis (FACS). Lymphocyte phenotypes and activation markers: higher levels of CD8 and CD4DR were evident in the graft ( p < 0.05) than in PBL, CD3CD25 in PBL were higher in transplanted patients than in controls. Apoptotic rate and lymphocyte expression of pro‐ and antiapoptotic molecules: a higher expression of annexin V, together with reduced lymphocytes CD95L, iNOs and Bcl‐2 expression (PBL =97.7 ± 1.1% vs FNAB =81.9±15.1%; p < 0.05) were evident in the graft than in PBL. In KP patients intra‐graft apoptosis and reduced anti‐apoptotic molecules were evident after ATG induction.