Detection and mechanism of action of ESM-1 in rat kidney transplantation under various immune states

• ESM-1 expression was detected under various immune states.
• ESM-1 mRNA and ESM-1 protein expression was upregulated significantly in the AR group, when compared to CsA group and control group.
• ESM-1 may be used as a new indicator for AR prediction and diagnosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether ESM-1 expression change reflects the impairment of endothelial cells and rejection after kidney transplantation, ESM-1 expression was detected under various immune states in this study.MethodsKidney transplantations were performed from BN to LEW rats. Syngenic LEW-LEW grafts were used as controls. The LEW recipient rats were divided into acute rejection (AR) group, ciclosporin A (CsA) group and control group. In each group, 10 rats were sacrificed at 1, 5, and 7 d after operation, respectively, and blood and kidney samples were collected. In the rat model of kidney transplantation, ESM-1 mRNA and ESM-1 protein expression were detected in various immune states to verify if ESM-1 can reflect endothelial cell impairment sensitively.ResultsESM-1 mRNA (1 d vs. 3 d, P < 0.01;3 d vs. 7 d, P = 0.018) and ESM-1 protein expression was upregulated significantly in the AR group (P < 0.01, 5 and 7 d), when compared to CsA group and control group. In CsA group, the cell apoptosis rate decreased when compared to AR group (P < 0.01). Pathological impairment was more serious in AR group than in CsA group (P < 0.01).ConclusionsPeripheral blood ESM-1 mRNA and ESM-1 protein expression in kidney grafts can reflect the severity of endothelial cell impairment. Thus, ESM-1 may be used as a new indicator for AR prediction and diagnosis. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to test if it meets the criteria for clinical utility.