Expression of interleukin-21, interleukin-21 receptor alpha and related type I cytokines by intravascular graft leukocytes during acute renal allograft rejection

Andreas Hecker; Andreas Kaufmann; Matthias Hecker; Winfried Padberg; Veronika Grau

doi:10.1016/j.imbio.2008.04.004

Expression of interleukin-21, interleukin-21 receptor alpha and related type I cytokines by intravascular graft leukocytes during acute renal allograft rejection

Immunobiology. 2009;214(1):41-9. doi: 10.1016/j.imbio.2008.04.004. Epub 2008 Jun 17.

Authors

Andreas Hecker¹, Andreas Kaufmann, Matthias Hecker, Winfried Padberg, Veronika Grau

Affiliation

¹ Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, University of Giessen Lung Center, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, D-35385 Giessen, Germany.

PMID: 19159826
DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2008.04.004

Abstract

Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of the type I cytokine family, regulates central functions of immunity. Within this family, signaling is mediated via a receptor complex consisting of a high-affinity receptor chain and the common gamma-chain (IL-2Rgamma, CD132). We analyze the mRNA expression of IL-21, IL-21 receptor-alpha (IL-21Ralpha) and family members IL-15, IL-2Rgamma, IL-21Ralpha, IL-15Ralpha, IL-2/15Rbeta, as well as IL-2Ralpha (CD25) in leukocytes isolated by vascular perfusion of rat renal allografts. Mononuclear leukocytes expressed increased amounts of IL-21Ralpha mRNA and protein during acute rejection. Most IL-21Ralpha-positive cells were monocytes. Furthermore, IL-21 and IL-2Ralpha mRNA expression was strongly increased. No changes in IL-2Rgamma, IL-2/15Rbeta, IL-15, and IL-15Ralpha mRNA expression levels were seen. In conclusion, we demonstrate that IL-21Ralpha expression is induced in intravascular monocytes in vivo in response to allogeneic transplantation. The function of the IL-21/IL-21R system in monocytes and during acute allograft rejection remains to be established.

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Animals
Cell Movement
Graft Rejection / immunology*
Graft Rejection / metabolism
Interleukin-15 / genetics
Interleukin-15 / immunology
Interleukin-15 / metabolism
Interleukin-21
Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit / genetics
Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit / immunology
Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism*
Interleukins / genetics
Interleukins / immunology
Interleukins / metabolism*
Kidney Transplantation*
Male
Rats
Rats, Inbred Lew
Receptors, Interleukin-15 / genetics
Receptors, Interleukin-15 / immunology
Receptors, Interleukin-15 / metabolism
Receptors, Interleukin-2 / genetics
Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology
Receptors, Interleukin-2 / metabolism
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
Th1 Cells / immunology
Th1 Cells / metabolism*
Th1 Cells / pathology
Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

Interleukin-15
Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit
Interleukins
Receptors, Interleukin-15
Receptors, Interleukin-2
Interleukin-21