Cytokine profile, Treg/Th17 cell frequency changes during different posttransplantational time points in patients undergoing renal transplantation.

Abstract

Renal transplantation is the best therapeutic approach for end stage renal dysfunction patients. There are direct relationships between proportions of Treg cells, Treg/Th17 cells ratio and secreted immunosuppressive cytokines with increased survival rate of the transplanted organ. The aim of this study was the measurement of Treg and Th17 cells frequency and their secreted cytokines. Ninety renal-transplanted patients were divided in three groups based on times after transplantation (1-6 month, 6-36 month, and more than 3 years). Treg and Th17 cells frequency, expression level of their transcription factors and cytokines, and their secreted cytokines level were measured in these groups. Higher expression level of Interleukin (IL)-10 and FoxP3 mRNA were observed in patients who had longer posttransplantation time. In contrast, lower mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β were observed in this group. Receptor γt showed no significant changes in studied groups. In addition IL-10 level was increased and IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β level were decreased in patients who had longer posttransplantation time. Treg cells frequency was raised in mentioned group whereas no remarkable changes were observed in Th17 cell frequency. The present study declared that in stable renal transplantation, over time, the percentage of Treg cells and Treg/Th17 ration is increased. This increase in ratio induces a change in cytokine profile, resulting in an increased immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10 leading to increase in the survival rate of the transplanted organ.