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Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay (ELISPOT): Quantification of Th-1 Cellular Immune Responses Against Microbial Antigens
Published on: November 24, 2010
Enzyme linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay for interferon-gamma independently predicts renal function in kidney
Donald E Hricik1, Victoria Rodriguez, Jocelyn Riley
1Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH, USA. deh5@po.cwru.edu
Insights
Monitoring cellular immunity post-kidney transplant using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent spot (ELISPOT) assays can predict long-term renal function. Early measurements of interferon-gamma producing cells correlate with kidney function and rejection risk.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Monitoring cellular immunity is crucial for predicting kidney transplant outcomes.
- Early detection of immune responses can guide post-transplant management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of serial ELISPOT assays in assessing cellular alloreactivity.
- To correlate early immune responses with long-term kidney transplant function and rejection.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay used to measure interferon-gamma producing lymphocytes.
- Serial measurements performed in 55 primary kidney transplant recipients during the first 6 months post-transplant.
- Correlations analyzed with serum creatinine levels and acute rejection episodes at 6 and 12 months.
Main Results:
- Mean ELISPOT frequencies correlated significantly with serum creatinine at 6 and 12 months.
- Higher frequencies observed in patients with acute rejection.
- Correlations between early immune response and creatinine were independent of rejection, delayed graft function, or pre-transplant antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Early cellular alloreactivity, measured by ELISPOT, independently correlates with long-term renal function after kidney transplantation.
- Increased early alloreactivity may predict chronic allograft dysfunction.
- ELISPOT assay offers a potential tool for predicting transplant outcomes.
Abstract:
Post-transplant monitoring of cellular immunity might be useful in predicting long-term outcomes of kidney transplant recipients. We used an enzyme linked immunoabsorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay to serially measure the frequency of peripheral blood lymphocytes producing interferon-gamma in response to stimulator cells from donors or third parties in 55 primary kidney transplant recipients. Mean frequencies measured during the first 6 months after transplantation correlated significantly with the serum creatinine concentration at both 6 and 12 months following transplantation. The mean frequencies were higher in patients with acute rejection than in those without acute rejection. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the correlations between the early ELISPOT measurements of interferon-gamma and serum creatinine were independent of acute rejection, delayed graft function, or the presence of panel reactive antibodies before transplantation. Patients with low mean frequencies of interferon-producing cells in the early post-transplant period were generally free from acute rejection and exhibited excellent renal function at 6 and 12 months post-transplant. In conclusion, using the ELISPOT assay, we show an independent correlation between early cellular alloreactivity and long-term renal function. Increased levels of early alloreactivity measured with this assay may serve as a surrogate for chronic allograft dysfunction.
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