Role of pathogenic T-helper cells-17 in chronic antibody-mediated rejection in renal allograft recipients

Abstract

Background: Both T-cell and B-cell activities are interlinked. The role of a new subset of T-helper cells (Th17), which is thought to be more pathogenic than other effector T cells, is not much studied in cases of chronic antibody-mediated rejection (CABMR). Therefore, we aimed to determine the circulating frequency of Th17, Pgp+ Th17, Pgp+ CD4T cell, and serum interleukin (IL)-17A cytokine level in patients of CABMR and stable graft function (SGF). Materials and Methods: We had recruited 42 patients of biopsy-proven CABMR (n = 32) and SGF (n = 10). The frequency of Pgp+ CD4Tcells, Pgp+ Th17 and Th17 cell was quantified in circulating blood by flow cytometry, and IL-17A level was determined in serum by ELISA techniques. Results: We observed that the frequency of Th17 cell (2.30 ± 1.15 and 4.46 ± 2.05; P = 0.003), Pgp+ CD4T (15.73 ± 4.38 and 25.27 ± 5.15; P < 0.001), and Pgp+ Th17 (0.78 ± 0.65 and 2.19 ± 0.93; P < 0.001) was higher in CABMR as compared to that of SGF. The ratio of Th17/CD4T cell (0.077 ± 0.045 and 0.14 ± 0.06; P = 0.004), and Pgp+ CD4T/CD4T cell (0.51 ± 0.14 and 0.81 ± 0.17, P < 0.001) was also higher in CABMR as compared to SGF. Serum cytokine IL-17A level was (42.39 ± 13.25 and 66.97 ± 18.27; P < 0.001) pg/ml was also higher in CABMR than that of SGF. The frequency of Pgp+ Th17 cell was positively correlating with 24-h proteinuria (r = 0.309; P = 0.04), serum creatinine (r = 0.423; P = 0.005), and negatively correlating with eGFR (r = −0.468; P = 0.002). Similarly, the frequency of Pgp+ CD4T cell was positively correlating with 24-h proteinuria (r = 0.351; P = 0.023), serum creatinine (r = 0.310; P = 0.04), and negatively correlating with eGFR (r = −0.414; P = 0.006). Conclusions: Higher Pgp+ TH17 cell is associated with CABMR, proteinuria, and graft dysfuntion.

Keywords

• chronic antibody mediated rejection
• interleukin-17
• permeable glycoprotein
• t-helper cells-17