The cytokine response in renal allograft rejection

Cytokines play an essential role in regulating and co-ordinating acute renal allograft rejection. Organ rejection represents a broad inflammatory response which likely utilizes every facet of both innate and acquired immunity. Under appropriate proinflammatory cytokine stimulation, donor renal tubule cells may function as active participants in the host inflammatory response by producing chemokines and other proinflammatory mediators. Although there is high enthusiasm in using cytokine-based therapies in the future, the overlapping and redundant features of cytokine signalling will require careful choice of individual or combination therapy.