Reduced Ratio of FoxP3/ RORγt Gene Expression, in Peripheral Blood, is Associated with Acute Allograft Rejection in Recipients with Kidney Transplantation
1Renal Transplant Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, UT, India
2Vaccines and Immunity, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
3Immunopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, UT, India
4Organ Transplantation, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India
5Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, UT, India.
Meeting: 2018 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: D186
Keywords: Gene expression, Kidney transplantation, Rejection
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session D: Kidney: Acute Cellular Rejection
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Hall 4EF
Introduction:
FoxP3 has been well established as an indispensable protein that is required in the development and function of regulatory T cells. On the other hand, RORγt is a key transcription factor required for the development of Th17 cells. Evidences have shown that FOXP3+ Tregs expressing RORyt have robust suppressive capacity in inflammation. In solid organ transplantation, the imbalance between regulatory T cells and Th17 cells has been associated with acute rejections. In this study, we aimed to study the expression of FoxP3 and RORγt in peripheral blood samples of renal allograft recipients with biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR).
Materials and Methods:
BPAR episodes were monitored among 211 renal allograft recipients over one year post- transplant follow up. Blood samples were collected pre- transplant, at the time of rejection and at 12 months. RNA and cDNA were obtained using commercial kits. Relative gene expression study was performed using Real Time PCR with SYBR Green assay and the fold change was calculated using 2-[Delta][Delta]Ct formula. All values are represented as Mean ± SEM.
Result:
Of 211 recipients, 35 (16.58%) had 38 episodes of BPAR. Rejection episodes were associated with decreased mRNA expression of FOXP3 as compared to the expression of RORγt (4.2 ± 1.9 vs. 27.0 ± 19.0 respectively). At 12 months post-transplantation, the mRNA expressions of FoxP3 and RORγt were increased as compared to the respective levels at rejection (17.4 ± 16.8 and 272.5 ± 271.0 respectively). The ratio of fold change between FOXP3 and RORγt was lower at the time of rejection (9.269 ± 4.89) as compared to that at the time of stable graft function at 12 months post transplantation (283 ± 277.8).
Conclusion:
The FOXP3/RORγt ratio is reduced during rejection and increased in stable grafts. Therefore, FOXP3/RORγt ratio could be an important marker in the peripheral blood to gauze the status of renal allografts. However, this study needs further validation in larger cohorts of BPAR.
CITATION INFORMATION: Dhital R., Minz R., Minz M., Sharma A., Nada R., Singh S., Kenwar D., Anand S. Reduced Ratio of FoxP3/ RORγt Gene Expression, in Peripheral Blood, is Associated with Acute Allograft Rejection in Recipients with Kidney Transplantation Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Dhital R, Minz R, Minz M, Sharma A, Nada R, Singh S, Kenwar D, Anand S. Reduced Ratio of FoxP3/ RORγt Gene Expression, in Peripheral Blood, is Associated with Acute Allograft Rejection in Recipients with Kidney Transplantation [abstract]. https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/reduced-ratio-of-foxp3-rort-gene-expression-in-peripheral-blood-is-associated-with-acute-allograft-rejection-in-recipients-with-kidney-transplantation/. Accessed May 12, 2025.« Back to 2018 American Transplant Congress