Y Zhao1, Y Wang2, M S Zhu3, W M Han3, Z Li3, S F Hong3, P Yin4, G H Zhuang5, Z Q Qi6. 1. Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Research Institute of Digestive Disease, Xiamen, Fujian, China. 2. Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China; Department of Sports Medicine & Joint Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Fujian, China. 3. Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. 4. Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. 5. Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. Electronic address: zhgh@xmu.edu.cn. 6. Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. Electronic address: oti@xmu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2) is a negative regulator of innate immunity and cellular immunity, yet the expression pattern of TIPE2 in acute rejection of cardiac allograft remain enigmatic. METHODS: We developed cardiac transplantation models and divided into 3 groups: a naive group, a syngeneic group, and an allogeneic group. Then, we detected the messenger RNA and protein of TIPE2 in cardiac allografts. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed expression of CD4 and CD8 in the donor heart, and immunofluorescence assay revealed the association between T cells and TIPE2. RESULTS: In our study, we first found that the expression of TIPE2 in cardiac allografts is upregulated compared with the syngeneic control, and increases in a time-dependent manner. The immunocytochemistry of heart grafts revealed a strong expression of TIPE2 in the inflammatory cells, but not in the cardiomyocytes. Finally, we proved that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrated cardiac allografts abundantly, which express ample TIPE2. CONCLUSIONS: The upregulated expression of TIPE2 in cardiac allografts, mainly came from T cells, which infiltrated the donor heart. This finding indicates that there may be an association between TIPE2 and acute cardiac allograft rejection.
BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2) is a negative regulator of innate immunity and cellular immunity, yet the expression pattern of TIPE2 in acute rejection of cardiac allograft remain enigmatic. METHODS: We developed cardiac transplantation models and divided into 3 groups: a naive group, a syngeneic group, and an allogeneic group. Then, we detected the messenger RNA and protein of TIPE2 in cardiac allografts. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed expression of CD4 and CD8 in the donor heart, and immunofluorescence assay revealed the association between T cells and TIPE2. RESULTS: In our study, we first found that the expression of TIPE2 in cardiac allografts is upregulated compared with the syngeneic control, and increases in a time-dependent manner. The immunocytochemistry of heart grafts revealed a strong expression of TIPE2 in the inflammatory cells, but not in the cardiomyocytes. Finally, we proved that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrated cardiac allografts abundantly, which express ample TIPE2. CONCLUSIONS: The upregulated expression of TIPE2 in cardiac allografts, mainly came from T cells, which infiltrated the donor heart. This finding indicates that there may be an association between TIPE2 and acute cardiac allograft rejection.