In vivo IL-10 and TGF-β production by PBMC from long-term kidney transplant recipients with excellent graft function: a possible feedback mechanism participating in immunological stability

• Published in: Clinical transplantation 2004-04, Vol.18 (2), p.174-178
• Main Authors: Alberú, Josefina, Richaud-Patin, Yvonne, Vázquez-Lavista, Luis Gabriel, de Leo, Claudia, Guzmán-Rodríguez, Hugo, Mancilla, Eduardo, Correa-Rotter, Ricardo, Chew-Wong, Alfredo, Llorente, Luis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Azathioprine - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cells, Cultured; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; General aspects; Graft Survival - immunology; Humans; IL-10; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Interleukin-10 - biosynthesis; Kidney - physiology; kidney transplantation; Kidney Transplantation - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; long-term graft function; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Prednisone - therapeutic use; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; TGF-β; Transforming Growth Factor beta - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0902-0063; 1399-0012
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1399-0012.2003.00149.x

:  Background:  Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) are Th2‐derived multifunctional cytokines that exhibit potent immunoregulatory and anti‐inflammatory properties which might prolong graft survival. The aim of this study was to explore whether spontaneous production of IL‐10 and TGF‐β by blood mononuclear cells correlates with excellent long‐term graft function. Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was carried out in 32 kidney transplant recipients, without albuminuria, treated with azathioprine and prednisone. Spontaneous IL‐10 and TGF‐β were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in supernatants from 24 h cultured unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Both cytokines were also determined in 10 healthy kidney donors. Results:  There was no correlation between IL‐10 or TGF‐β with any variable tested, namely age, SCr, histocompatibility, and post‐transplant follow‐up. In vivo IL‐10 production displayed a statistical trend to be higher in transplant recipients than in controls (362.3 ± 465, range 12.5–1929.3 pg/ml, and 189 ± 170, range 4.17–485.7 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.08), whereas no difference was observed in TGF‐β among the same groups (134.7 ± 79.2, range 68–421 pg/ml, and 121.4 ± 25.8, range 75–151 pg/ml, respectively). Interestingly, a statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between IL‐10 and TGF‐β in kidney transplant recipients (p = 0.03). Conclusions:  The higher IL‐10 production observed in long‐term kidney transplant recipients supports the notion that this cytokine contributes in decreasing allogenic immune responses and allows prolongation of allograft survival. The balance between TGF‐β and IL‐10 may be of paramount importance in graft acceptance.