Cytokines and Chemokine Gene Expression in Human Kidney Transplantation

We analyzed mRNA expression in 174 kidney graft biopsies for the following cytokines: TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-10, and chemokine RANTES. Based on the expression levels obtained by real-time RT-PCR, we correlated data with the results of morphologic examinations. All tested cytokines and chemokines were upregulated (P < .001) during acute rejection compared to nonrejecting controls. Upregulation was also found in chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) group for TGF-β1, IL-10 (P < .001), TNF-α, and RANTES (P < .01). Upregulated expression of IL-10 (P < .001), TGF-β1, (P < .01) and RANTES (P < .05) showed borderline changes. Higher expression levels (P < .001) of TGF-β1 and IL-10 were also found during ATN. IL-10 was upregulated (P < .01) in specimens with recurrent glomerulonephritis. Weakly increased (P < .05) expressions of TGF-β1 were found during CsA toxicity. Distinctive expression levels between acute rejection and CAN were only found for IL-10 (P < .01). TNF-α showed a different expression profile in acute rejection versus ATN (P < .001). These findings suggest that distinct cytokine and chemokine expression profiles in grafts may contribute to the diagnosis for and elucidation of the immunopathologic process during graft dysfunction.