Interleukin-15 production during liver allograft rejection in humans

BACKGROUND: The activity of interleukin (IL)-15, a cytokine produced by macrophages, is similar to that of IL-2. We investigated whether IL-15 plays a role in liver allograft rejection. METHODS: We evaluated plasma levels and intrahepatic expression of IL-15 in 35 patients after liver transplantation, and then analyzed in vitro the influence of anticalcineurin drugs or steroids on IL-15 production and secretion. Finally, we examined the effects of IL-15 on lymphocyte proliferation in mixed lymphocyte culture in the presence or absence of anticalcineurin drugs or steroids. RESULTS: Plasma levels and in situ expression of IL-15 were enhanced during liver allograft rejection, particularly during steroid-resistant acute rejection and during chronic rejection. In vitro, IL-15 production and secretion were inhibited by neither anticalcineurin drugs nor steroids. Exogenous IL-15 enhanced cell-mediated immune response, and this effect was not inhibited by immunosuppressive drugs. CONCLUSIONS: IL-15 can play a role in the initiation and outcome of acute and chronic rejection. Anti-IL-15 therapy in combination with classic immunosuppression therapy might thus be beneficial in the prevention of acute, and especially chronic, allograft rejection.