Since TH17 cells could play a role in the pathogenesis of allograft nephropathy, we investigated them in peripheral blood and kidney allograft infiltrates. We compared percentages of TH17 cells and IL17A in peripheral blood of 14 kidney allograft recipients and 8 healthy volunteers. Allograft recipients experiencing graft dysfunction and kidney biopsy specimens showing chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) were distinguished from a "control group," both of which were tested for TH17 and CD15+ staining. Allograft recipients displayed a significantly lower percentage of TH17 cells and IL17A blood levels than healthy volunteers, suggesting effects of the immunosuppressive regimen. No difference in these values was observed between the CAN group and the control group. On kidney allograft biopsies, CD15+ infiltrate was significantly higher in the CAN group than in the control group. In CAN, IL17 secretion might play a chemoattractant role for neutrophils. However, these preliminary data have to be confirmed in larger studies.
Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc.