Conti F, Frappier J, Dharancy S, Chereau C, Houssin D, Weill B, Calmus Y. Interleukin-15 production during liver allograft rejection in humans.
Transplantation 2003;
76:210-6. [PMID:
12865812 DOI:
10.1097/01.tp.0000067530.95852.67]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The activity of interleukin (IL)-15, a cytokine produced by macrophages, is similar to that of IL-2. We investigated whether IL-15 plays a role in liver allograft rejection.
METHODS
We evaluated plasma levels and intrahepatic expression of IL-15 in 35 patients after liver transplantation, and then analyzed in vitro the influence of anticalcineurin drugs or steroids on IL-15 production and secretion. Finally, we examined the effects of IL-15 on lymphocyte proliferation in mixed lymphocyte culture in the presence or absence of anticalcineurin drugs or steroids.
RESULTS
Plasma levels and in situ expression of IL-15 were enhanced during liver allograft rejection, particularly during steroid-resistant acute rejection and during chronic rejection. In vitro, IL-15 production and secretion were inhibited by neither anticalcineurin drugs nor steroids. Exogenous IL-15 enhanced cell-mediated immune response, and this effect was not inhibited by immunosuppressive drugs.
CONCLUSIONS
IL-15 can play a role in the initiation and outcome of acute and chronic rejection. Anti-IL-15 therapy in combination with classic immunosuppression therapy might thus be beneficial in the prevention of acute, and especially chronic, allograft rejection.
Collapse