Shima Afzali1,2, Saeedeh Salehi1, Abbas Shahi1, Marzie Esmaeili1, Samad Farashi Bonab1, Azin Peykari3, Farzaneh Bagherpour4, Bita Ansaripour1, Tayebeh Soleimanian5, Fatemeh Pour-Reza-Gholi3, Aliakbar Amirzargar1. 1. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Chronic Kidney Disease Research Center, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Organ Procurement Unit, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 5. Nephrology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for end stage renal disease (ESRD), but graft rejection is still a big obstacle that occurs in spite of immunosuppressive therapy. B cells are considered as the major reason for renal graft rejection because of antibody production. Due to their roles in B cell function, we intended to evaluate the B cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors including BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) in renal transplant patients. METHOD: The study included 40 kidney allograft patients with cAMR, 40 stable kidney allograft patients, and 8 healthy volunteers with normal kidney function. The percentage and absolute number of CD19+ B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, the serum level of BAFF was analyzed by ELISA, and mRNA expressions of BAFF and BAFF receptors (BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI) were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The percentage and the absolute number of B cells decreased significantly in stable and cAMR patients compared to healthy individuals. The serum level and gene expression of BAFF, as well as the mRNA level of BCMA, were increased significantly in both cAMR and stable patients compared to healthy volunteers. There was an overexpression of TACI mRNA in cAMR patients compared to stable patients. CONCLUSIONS: Both soluble protein and mRNA transcript of BAFF increased in transplant recipients. However, BAFF neither at the serum level nor at the mRNA transcript level cannot be a good biomarker for the prediction of cAMR. In addition, expression of TACI, compared to other receptors of BAFF, confers a potential to be used in distinguishing cAMR and stable kidney transplant patients.
BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for end stage renal disease (ESRD), but graft rejection is still a big obstacle that occurs in spite of immunosuppressive therapy. B cells are considered as the major reason for renal graft rejection because of antibody production. Due to their roles in B cell function, we intended to evaluate the B cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors including BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) in renal transplant patients. METHOD: The study included 40 kidney allograft patients with cAMR, 40 stable kidney allograft patients, and 8 healthy volunteers with normal kidney function. The percentage and absolute number of CD19+ B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, the serum level of BAFF was analyzed by ELISA, and mRNA expressions of BAFF and BAFF receptors (BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI) were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The percentage and the absolute number of B cells decreased significantly in stable and cAMR patients compared to healthy individuals. The serum level and gene expression of BAFF, as well as the mRNA level of BCMA, were increased significantly in both cAMR and stable patients compared to healthy volunteers. There was an overexpression of TACI mRNA in cAMR patients compared to stable patients. CONCLUSIONS: Both soluble protein and mRNA transcript of BAFF increased in transplant recipients. However, BAFF neither at the serum level nor at the mRNA transcript level cannot be a good biomarker for the prediction of cAMR. In addition, expression of TACI, compared to other receptors of BAFF, confers a potential to be used in distinguishing cAMR and stable kidney transplant patients.
Authors: Bernhard K Krämer; Giuseppe Montagnino; Domingo Del Castillo; Raimund Margreiter; Heide Sperschneider; Christoph J Olbricht; Bernd Krüger; Joaquín Ortuño; Hans Köhler; Ulrich Kunzendorf; Hans-Krister Stummvoll; Jose M Tabernero; Ferdinand Mühlbacher; Manuel Rivero; Manuel Arias Journal: Nephrol Dial Transplant Date: 2005-03-01 Impact factor: 5.992
Authors: Qunrui Ye; Liqing Wang; Andrew D Wells; Ran Tao; Rongxiang Han; Anne Davidson; Martin L Scott; Wayne W Hancock Journal: Eur J Immunol Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 5.532
Authors: S Heidt; M Vergunst; J D H Anholts; G M J S Swings; E M J Gielis; K E Groeneweg; M J Witkamp; J W de Fijter; M E J Reinders; D L Roelen; M Eikmans; F H J Claas Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2019-02-17 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Isabel Legaz; Manuel Muro; Rafael Alfaro; Santiago Llorente; Pedro Martinez; Víctor Jimenez-Coll; Helios Martínez-Banaclocha; José Antonio Galián; Carmen Botella; María Rosa Moya-Quiles; Jesús de la Peña-Moral; Alfredo Minguela Journal: Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) Date: 2022-09-22 Impact factor: 3.831