Characteristics of alloreactive T cells measured before renal transplantation

Several assays to measure pre-existing allospecific T cell immunity in renal transplant candidates have been developed in the past years. In 46 patients, we used flow cytometry-based mixed lymphocyte culture to measure the precursor frequency and phenotype of alloreactive T cells before renal transplantation, using donor-specific or third-party cells for allostimulation. Allostimulation induced up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules, chemokine receptors relevant for migration of T cells into the graft and effector proteins. Recipients prone for acute rejection had a higher precursor frequency of alloreactive CD8(+) T cells and a lower percentage of interleukin (IL)-7Rα expressing alloreactive CD8(+) T cells than non-rejectors. These data point to quantitative and qualitative differences between T cells of patients who will experience acute cellular rejection episodes from those who will not.