Interleukin-31 (IL-31) and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) Are Upregulated in Acute Rejection of Kidney Allograft

I. Striz, L. Krupickova, M. Fialova, M. Novotny, E. Cecrdlova, O. Viklicky

Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Praha, Czech Republic

Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 1551

Keywords: Kidney transplantation, Non-invasive diagnosis, Rejection

Topic: Basic Science » Basic Clinical Science » 17 - Biomarkers: Clinical Outcomes

Session Information

Session Name: Biomarkers: Clinical Outcomes

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Session Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

Presentation Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Hynes Halls C & D

*Purpose: Interleukin-31 (IL-31) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) belong to the IL-6 cytokine family clustered by their pro-inflammatory properties and a shared signaling pathway of gp130 receptor subunit. They have been extensively studied for their role in inflammation and neuroimmune interactions but there are no available data on a role of these cytokines in organ transplantation.

*Methods: In our prospective study, serum concentrations of IL-31 together with IL-6 and LIF were measured by Luminex assay in sera of kidney allograft recipients before and then one week, one month and one year after the transplantation. In patients with acute rejection, additional serum sample was collected at the day of diagnostic biopsy positive for acute rejection. We compared the data of 94 patients with uncomplicated outcome with 44 patients with acute rejection (16 with cellular rejection and 28 with antibody-mediated rejection).

*Results: Concentrations of IL-31 in sera of patients with acute rejection were higher at one month and one year after transplantation and particularly at the day of biopsy positive for acute rejection. Pretransplant serum levels of IL-31 were higher in patients with uncomplicated outcome as compared to those with acute rejection (p<0.01) and did not change after one week after the transplantation. Pretransplant levels of LIF were higher in the rejection group (p<0.001) and kept the difference as compared to patients with normal outcome in all time points. IL-6 serum concentrations increased one week after the transplantation in both groups of patients (p<0.01) with subsequent decline at one month.

*Conclusions: Our data documented an association of increased serum levels of IL-31 and LIF with acute rejection of kidney allograft. Cytokines of IL-6 family, although structurally similar, showed completely different dynamics of serum values. High concentration of IL-31 in samples obtained in the day of biopsy positive for acute rejection suggests a possibility to be used as an immediate biomarker. Elevated pre-transplant LIF concentrations and their persistence may represent a risk factor and biomarker for future acute rejection.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Striz I, Krupickova L, Fialova M, Novotny M, Cecrdlova E, Viklicky O. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) Are Upregulated in Acute Rejection of Kidney Allograft [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/interleukin-31-il-31-and-leukemia-inhibitory-factor-lif-are-upregulated-in-acute-rejection-of-kidney-allograft/. Accessed December 3, 2024.

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