Abstract: | Aims: To determine the number of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+ T cells in renal transplant recipients that are transplanted stable (TS), or experiencing accelerated rejection (ALR), or acute rejection (AR).Methods: Renal transplantation was conducted in 28 patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF). The number of peripheral CD4+CD25-Foxp3+, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+, or CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+ T cells and the serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured in pre- and post-transplant patients and these results were compared to 10 healthy controls (HC). Correlation between CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ and serum creatinine (Cr) levels, or Cr and IL-10 levels in TS patients was also determined.Results: The number of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells was significantly increased in patients with ESRF, as compared to HC. Stratification analysis demonstrated that TS patients contained greater numbers of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+ T cells, higher levels of serum IL-10, and fewer numbers of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells than ESRF patients. In contrast, ALR and AR patients contained fewer numbers of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CXCR5+Foxp3+ T cells, greater numbers of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells, and lower levels of serum IL-10 than ESRF patients. In TS patients, the numbers of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were positively correlated with eGFR and serum Cr levels, respectively.Conclusion: An imbalance of different types of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells might be involved in renal transplant rejection. |