Angiotensin II Receptor Expression Following Intestinal Transplantation in Mice 1

BackgroundTo further improve the success rate of intestinal transplantation there is a need to find early appearing indicators of rejection. The specific aim of this study was to compare Angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor and Ang II type 2 receptor expression in relation to histological signs of rejection.MethodsMice of the C57BL6 strain with syngeneic intestinal grafts were compared to mice subjected to allogeneic intestinal transplantation with BalbC strain as donors. Local expression of Ang II type 1 and 2 receptor was evaluated using rt-PCR and Western blot and compared to histological picture in grafts and native intestine.ResultsThe Ang II type 2 receptor protein expression was markedly up-regulated in the allogeneically transplanted graft from day 1 postoperatively. Histological signs of rejection were not seen until day 6.ConclusionIntestinal allograft transplantation in mice is associated with a marked up-regulation of the Ang II type 2 receptor. However, the detailed role of the renin-angiotensin system in the immune rejection following intestinal transplantation remains to be clarified.