In:
Physiological Research, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Abstract:
Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) represents a frequent and irreversible cause of long-term renal graft loss. TGF-beta1 is a key profibrogenic cytokine associated with CAN pathogenesis. Because of clinical diagnostic inaccuracy, protocol biopsy has been suggested to be a beneficial method for early CAN detection. Protocol core biopsy was carried out in 67 consecutive cyclosporine-based immunosuppression-treated kidney transplant recipients with stable renal function 12 months after renal transplantation. Biopsy specimens were analyzed morphologically according to Banff-97' criteria and immunohistologically for TGF-beta1 staining. The data obtained were correlated with plasma TGF-beta1 levels and clinical data. CAN (grade I-III) was found in 51 patients (76 %). CAN grade I was found to be the most frequent one (44 %). A normal finding within the graft was made in only 12 patients (18 %). Clinically silent acute rejection Banff IA was present in 4 patients (6 %). In 8 patients (12 %) with CAN, borderline changes were present. We found a significant correlation between CAN grade and creatinine clearance, as measured by the Cockroft-Gault formula (p 〈 0.01) as well as body mass index (p 〈 0.01). There was a significant correlation between chronic vasculopathy (Banff cv) and creatinine clearance, and between the degree of TGF-beta1 staining and chronic vasculopathy (p 〈 0.01). There were no relations between morphological findings and TGF-beta1 plasma levels, cyclosporine levels, plasma lipids, HLA-mismatches, panel reactive antibodies (PRA), proteinuria, and the donor's age. In conclusion, CAN is a frequent finding in protocol kidney graft biopsies 12 months after transplantation. TGF-beta1 tissue expression is linked with chronic vasculopathy.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1802-9973
,
0862-8408
DOI:
10.33549/physiolres.930308
Language:
English
Publisher:
Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Publication Date:
2003
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2100162-5
SSG:
12
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