Changes in the Expression of the Immunoglobulin-like Transcript 3 (ILT3) and ILT4 Receptors in Renal Allograft Recipients: Effect of Donor and Recipient Aging

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings 2008-11, Vol.40 (9), p.2894-2896
• Main Authors: Benito, M.J, Lopez-Hoyos, M, Fernandez-Fresnedo, G, Ruiz, J.C, Benito, A, San Segundo, D, Gomez-Alamillo, C, Arias, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cadaver; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 - immunology; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Gene Expression Regulation - immunology; Humans; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit - immunology; Kidney Transplantation - immunology; Medical sciences; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Middle Aged; Receptors, Cell Surface - genetics; Receptors, Immunologic - genetics; Reoperation - statistics & numerical data; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tissue Donors; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Transplantation, Homologous
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.09.018

Abstract Introduction The aim of the present study was to investigate the number and phenotype of pre- and posttransplant peripheral blood dendritic cells (DCs) in kidney graft recipients to correlate with CD4+ CD25high Treg and CD8+ CD28− cells. Data were analyzed according to the age of the donor–recipient pairs. Materials and methods A cohort of 49 cadaveric kidney transplant recipients was prospectively studied pretransplant and 6 months posttransplant by three-color flow cytometry with specific monoclonal antibodies. Patients were subgrouped according to age (elderly were considered above 60 years old and young below 55 years old) in the following donor–recipient pairs: aged/aged, young/aged, aged/young, young/young. Results At 6 months posttransplant, the proportion of cells tended to increase when the donor was young, regardless of the recipient. Importantly, there was a significant correlation between the numbers of immunoglobulin-like transcript 4+ DCs and CD4+ CD25high Treg cells before transplantation ( r = .476, P = .004) and at 6 months ( r = .408, P = .013). A significant association was also observed between ILT4+ DCs and CD8+ CD28− pretransplant ( r = .540, P = .001) and at 12 months posttransplant ( r = .609, P = .012). Conclusions Renal grafts from young but not from aged donors seem to induce DC of a tolerogenic phenotype, both in aged and young recipients. These preliminary results suggested that donor age may have consequences in terms of tolerance induction.