Potential protective role of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in transplanted organs

Abstract

Introduction: During self-limiting acute rejection of experimental allografts, numerous leukocytes, predominantly monocytes, accumulate in the vasculature. They interact with graft endothelia and produce diverse factors able to influence graft outcome. SLPI, in addition to its well-known anti-protease function, was reported to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, mainly associated with inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B activity. SLPI was described to be expressed by monocytes, however, its potential role in the context of organ transplantation has not yet been assessed.