[Expressions of cytoprotective proteins for human renal allografts]

To investigate the expression status and clinical significance of cytoprotective proteins to human renal allografts.

Expressions of cytoprotective proteins: antiapoptotic protein (A20), hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), and B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-X(L) (Bcl-X(L)) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and compared in 30 renal allografts, including 10 grafts undergoing acute rejection (AR), 10 grafts undergoing chronic rejection (CR), and 10 nonrejecting (NR) grafts.

Expressions of A20, HO-1 and Bcl-X(L) localized mainly in endothelial, smooth muscle, and infiltrating mononuclear cells. A20 expressed in grafts undergoing AR (5.04 +/- 0.71) and CR (3.20 +/- 0.64), not in NR grafts, and its expression in CR was weaker than that in AR ( P < 0.01). HO-1 expressed in AR (7.91 +/- 2.24), not in CR and NR. Bcl-X(L) was detected in all grafts (AR: 10.62 +/- 3.17; CR: 8.50 +/- 2.45; NR: 11.03 +/- 2.77), but had a decreased expression levels in CR.

A20 and HO-1 may play protective role for AR, and A20 may be the essential protein having protective function for CR.