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Interpreting NK Cell Transcripts Versus T Cell Transcripts in Renal Transplant Biopsies
Author(s) -
Hidalgo L. G.,
Sellares J.,
Sis B.,
Mengel M.,
Chang J.,
Halloran P. F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03970.x
Subject(s) - antibody , inflammation , cell , medicine , immunology , t cell , interleukin 21 , pathology , biology , immune system , genetics
NK cell transcripts are increased in biopsies with antibody‐mediated rejection, whereas T cell transcripts are increased in T cell‐mediated rejection. However, NK and T cells share many features, creating potential ambiguity. Therefore to estimate the NK‐ versus T cell transcript burdens separately, we defined nonoverlapping transcripts selective for NK cells (N = 4) or T cells (N = 5). We compared NK‐ versus T cell transcript burdens in microarrays from 403 kidney transplant biopsies (182 early, 221 late). In late biopsies, high NK‐cell transcript expression was associated with antibody‐mediated rejection, correlating with microvascular inflammation and donor specific HLA antibody. However, some early biopsies with T cell‐mediated rejection had high NK‐cell transcript expression, as well as T cell transcripts, without evidence of antibody‐mediated rejection or DSA, correlating with interstitial inflammation and tubulitis. Both NK‐cell and T cell transcripts were moderately increased in many kidneys with inflammation secondary to injury or atrophy scarring. These results support the distinct role of NK cells in late antibody‐mediated rejection, but indicate a role for NK‐transcript expressing cells (NK cells or T cells with NK features) both in T cell‐mediated rejection and in inflammation associated with injury and atrophy scarring.