Successful reduction of immunosuppression in older renal transplant recipients who exhibit donor-specific regulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We hypothesized that T-regulatory cells specific for donor alloantigens would protect a renal transplant during partial withdrawal of immunosuppression.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, 32 renal transplant recipients aged 55 years and older with excellent renal function were tested for donor-specific regulation (DSR) by trans-vivo delayed type hypersensitivity assay at the time of enrollment (T=0) and 6 months later (T=6). Twenty-two patients had prednisone withdrawn during a 3-month period, whereas 10 controls were maintained on triple therapy (prednisone, cyclosporine, and mycophenolate).

Results

Of 22 patients in the steroid withdrawal group, 10 were DSR+ and 12 were DSR- at the time of enrollment (T=0). None of the DSR+ patients experienced acute reject

SUBMITTER: Jankowska-Gan E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2747510 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature