TGF-?? Expression in Renal Transplant Biopsies

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rejection is a major cause of graft dysfunction after kidney transplantation. This fibroproliferative disease may be promoted by overproduction of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Previous studies have suggested that CsA might increase production of this growth factor. The current study was designed to measure the expression of TGF-beta(b) in renal transplant biopsy specimens from patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy with either CsA or tacrolimus (FK506). METHOD: Paraffin-embedded renal biopsy specimens were sectioned, dewaxed, and incubated with primary antibody against TGF-beta(b)1 latency-associated protein and active TGF-beta(b1). After washing, the sections were treated with secondary antibody conjugated with FITC. In each case, the sections were assessed by semi-quantitative scanning laser confocal microscopic method. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in latent TGF-beta(b) expression between biopsy specimens from patients receiving CsA and patients receiving FK506. However, biopsy specimens from patients receiving CsA expressed significantly more active TGF-beta(b1) than biopsy specimens from patients receiving FK506 (P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney test). DISCUSSION: The increased level of active TGF-beta1 expression in renal biopsy specimens of patients receiving CsA may indicate a mechanism of chronic rejection. However, these biopsies were performed to assess deranged renal function; therefore, the specimens may reflect events rather than differences in medication.