Serum Levels of Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17, Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1, and Interferon-γ Cytokines and Expression Levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 Genes in Renal Allograft Recipients After Donor Bone Marrow Cell Infusion

Background. Cytokine storm generated by an alloimmune response after transplantation can lead to either graft survival or rejection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1, and interferon (IFN)-gamma and expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta 1 in renal allograft recipients with or without donor bone marrow cell infusion (DBMI). Methods. We retrospectively followed 28 living unrelated kidney recipients, including 14 with and 14 without DBMI infusion for 2 years. Also, 14 healthy subjects were included as a normal control group. PBMC gene expression analysis for mRNA levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta 1 cytokines relative to beta-actin as a reference gene was performed using quantitative fluorescence real-time polymerase chain reaction at the end of 2 years posttransplantation. Also, serum levels of IL-10, TGF-beta 1, IFN-gamma, and IL-17 in the 3 groups were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the same time. Results. Both patient groups showed increased gene expression and serum content of IL-10 compared with normal controls. The expression levels were only significant between control patients and normal subjects (P = .02). Serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-17 were higher in untreated patients compared with normal controls (P = .03 and P = .07, respectively). DBMI patients showed significantly lower levels of serum TGF-beta 1 and IL-17 compared with normal subjects (P = .05 and P = .06, respectively). Also, infused patients showed a positive correlation between circulating levels of IL-17 and IL-10 (r = 0.692; P = .006), and an inverse correlation between serum creatinine and TGF-beta 1 levels (r = -0.580; P = .03). Conclusion. The decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines besides IL-10 with increased TGF-beta 1 levels and better allograft function with improved clinical outcomes were observed among infused patients, possibly indicating immunomodulatory effects of this approach in kidney allograft patients.