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Suppressor cell activity in human renal allograft recipients
Proceedings of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association. European Dialysis and Transplant Association
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Kidney transplant recipients show reduced suppressor cell activity during rejection episodes and after immunosuppressive therapy. However, sustained suppressor cell activity correlates with excellent long-term graft survival, particularly after anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Kidney allograft rejection remains a significant challenge in transplantation.
- Understanding the role of immune cells, particularly suppressor cells, is crucial for improving graft survival.
- Immunosuppressive therapy impacts immune cell function, but its precise effects on suppressor cells require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of peripheral blood suppressor cell activity in kidney allograft recipients.
- To assess the influence of graft rejection episodes and immunosuppressive therapy, including anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG), on suppressor cell function.
- To correlate suppressor cell activity with long-term kidney allograft survival.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring suppressor cell activity in 89 kidney allograft recipients at regular intervals.
- Measuring peripheral lymphocyte suppressor activity in vitro after Concanavalin A amplification.
- Assessing suppressor cell function in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cultures and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions.
- Investigating the cellular components responsible for suppressor activity through cell depletion studies.
Main Results:
- Suppressor cell activity was reduced following operation trauma and during rejection episodes.
- A more pronounced loss of suppressor activity was observed when tested in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions.
- Depletion of adherent cells indicated the involvement of two distinct mononuclear cell populations in suppressor activity.
- Immunosuppressive therapy, especially with ALG, largely abolished suppressor activity in most patients.
- Seven patients with excellent long-term graft survival exhibited the highest suppressor activity, particularly after ALG therapy.
Conclusions:
- Suppressor cell activity is significantly diminished during kidney allograft rejection and following immunosuppressive treatment.
- The recovery or maintenance of suppressor cell activity is associated with favorable long-term graft survival.
- Distinct mononuclear cell populations contribute to suppressor cell function in kidney transplant recipients.
- Anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) therapy, while often reducing suppressor activity, may be associated with better outcomes in patients who maintain higher levels of this activity.