Impact of basiliximab on the proportion of regulatory T cells and their subsets early after renal transplantation: a preliminary report

Abstract

Object: This study aims to investigate the impact of anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (basiliximab) on peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Treg) and their subsets in recipients early after renal transplantation.

Methods: Ten renal transplant recipients from November 2009 to February 2011 were divided into an induction therapy and a no-induction therapy group, mainly based on their will to accept basiliximab induction. Peripheral blood samples were collected at 2 hours before as well as 1 and 2 weeks after transplantation. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of regulatory T cells and their subsets.

Results: Compared with the no-induction therapy group, the proportions of both CD25(high) T cell and CD25(high) Foxp3(+) double marked T cells were significantly decreased among in the basiliximab induction group remaining at low at 2 weeks. The subsets of activated Treg and cytokine-secreting Treg were also temporarily downregulated at 1 week after transplantation using basiliximab induction. However, the inhibitory transcriptional factor Foxp3 was not significantly affected by the induction therapy.

Conclusions: Anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody downregulated the proportion of regulatory T cell and its activated subsets in peripheral blood in the early stage after renal transplantation while the inhibitory function may still be spared.