Cellular and molecular immune profiles in renal transplant recipients after conversion from tacrolimus to sirolimus.

ABSTRACT: Tacrolimus and sirolimus are commonly used maintenance immunosuppressants in kidney transplantation. As their effects on immune cells and allograft molecular profiles have not been elucidated, we characterized the effects of tacrolimus to sirolimus conversion on the frequency and function of T cells, and on graft molecular profiles. Samples from renal transplant patients in a randomized trial of 18 patients with late sirolimus conversion and 12 on tacrolimus maintenance were utilized. Peripheral blood was collected at 0, 6, 12, and 24 months post randomization, with T-cell subpopulations analyzed by flow cytometry and T-cell alloreactivity tested by IFN-γ ELISPOT. Graft biopsy samples obtained 24 months post randomization were used for gene expression analysis. Sirolimus conversion led to

SUBMITTER: Gallon L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4382402 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature