Variation in numbers of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ T cells with normal immuno‐regulatory properties in long‐term graft outcome

C Braudeau, M Racape, M Giral, S Louis… - Transplant …, 2007 - Wiley Online Library
C Braudeau, M Racape, M Giral, S Louis, A Moreau, L Berthelot, M Heslan, J Ashton‐Chess…
Transplant International, 2007Wiley Online Library
Chronic rejection (CR) is a major cause of long‐term graft loss that would be avoided by the
induction of tolerance. We previously showed that renal transplant patients with CR have
lower numbers of peripheral CD4+ CD25high T cells than operationally tolerant patients,
patients with stable graft function and healthy volunteers (HV). We explored here the profile
of CD4+ CD25high blood T cells in these patients focusing on their expression of the
regulatory T cells (Treg) gene Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) and their suppressive function. We …
Summary
Chronic rejection (CR) is a major cause of long‐term graft loss that would be avoided by the induction of tolerance. We previously showed that renal transplant patients with CR have lower numbers of peripheral CD4+CD25high T cells than operationally tolerant patients, patients with stable graft function and healthy volunteers (HV). We explored here the profile of CD4+CD25high blood T cells in these patients focusing on their expression of the regulatory T cells (Treg) gene Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) and their suppressive function. We show that CR is associated with a decreased number of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+T cells with normal regulatory profile, whereas graft acceptance is associated with CD4+CD25highFOXP3+T cell numbers similar to HVs. These data suggest that Treg numbers, rather than their intrinsic suppressive capacity, may contribute to determining the long‐term fate of renal transplants.
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