OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of T helper (Th) 17 cells and the related interleukin 17 (IL-17) in acute renal allograft rejection in mice and its significance. METHODS: We established a mouse renal allograft model, in which mice were randomly divided into a renal isograft group and an acute renal allograft rejection group. Three and 7 d after the transplantation, the serum interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 levels in the mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells in the total kidney-infiltrating lymphocytes was investigated by flow cytometry, and the transplanted kidney species were given routine pathological examination after fixation with 10% formalin. RESULTS: Compared with the isograft group, the allograft mice showed a significantly higher content of IL-17 (P<0.05) but not IFN-γ in the serum 3 d after transplantation, and showed significantly higher serum IL-17 and IFN-γ contents 7 d after transplantation (P<0.05). Also, compared with the isograft group, the allograft mice exhibited significantly higher percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells on both day 3 and day 7 (P<0.05). In the allograft group, the contents of serum IFN-γ and IL-17 and the percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells were significantly higher on day 7 than on day 3 (P<0.05). Routine pathological examination indicated that, as time passed, the allograft mice showed gradually stronger rejection responses. CONCLUSION: Th17 cells might play an important role in the development of acute renal allograft rejection, and IL-17 can be used as an early indicator of acute rejection.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of T helper (Th) 17 cells and the related interleukin 17 (IL-17) in acute renal allograft rejection in mice and its significance. METHODS: We established a mouse renal allograft model, in which mice were randomly divided into a renal isograft group and an acute renal allograft rejection group. Three and 7 d after the transplantation, the serum interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 levels in the mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells in the total kidney-infiltrating lymphocytes was investigated by flow cytometry, and the transplanted kidney species were given routine pathological examination after fixation with 10% formalin. RESULTS: Compared with the isograft group, the allograft mice showed a significantly higher content of IL-17 (P<0.05) but not IFN-γ in the serum 3 d after transplantation, and showed significantly higher serum IL-17 and IFN-γ contents 7 d after transplantation (P<0.05). Also, compared with the isograft group, the allograft mice exhibited significantly higher percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells on both day 3 and day 7 (P<0.05). In the allograft group, the contents of serum IFN-γ and IL-17 and the percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells were significantly higher on day 7 than on day 3 (P<0.05). Routine pathological examination indicated that, as time passed, the allograft mice showed gradually stronger rejection responses. CONCLUSION: Th17 cells might play an important role in the development of acute renal allograft rejection, and IL-17 can be used as an early indicator of acute rejection.