Horizons in TransplantationKidney transplantationExpression and Significance of RANTES and MCP-1 in Renal Tissue With Chronic Renal Allograft Dysfunction

- This study investigated the expression of RANTES and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in renal allografts.
- The study explored the mechanisms of chronic inflammation in interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy.
- The up-regulated expressions of RANTES and MCP-1 may be related to the progressive of chronic renal allograft dysfunction.

BackgroundTo investigate the expression of RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell-expressed and -secreted) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in renal allografts with chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD), and explore its relationship with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA).MethodsAn immunohistochemical assay and computer-assisted, genuine colored image analysis system were used to detect the expression of RANTES and MCP-1 in renal allografts with CRAD. The relationship among the expression level of MCP-1, RANTES, and the grade of inflammatory cell infiltration, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy in renal allografts were analyzed. Ten specimens of healthy renal tissue were used as controls.ResultsCompared to the normal tissues, the expressions of RANTES and MCP-1 were significantly higher in the renal tissues with CRAD (P < .001), and the expressions tended to increase along with the pathological grade of IF/TA. The expression of RANTES and MCP-1 were positively correlated with the pathological grades of IF/TA (r = 0.940 and 0.954 respectively, P < .001 for both).ConclusionIn renal allograft tissue with CRAD, the up-regulated expressions of RANTES and MCP-1 may be related to the progression of chronic renal allograft dysfunction and allograft fibrosis.