Substantial Proliferation of Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell–Reactive CD4CD28nullMemory T Cells, Which Is Resistant to Tacrolimus and Everolimus

In spite of maintenance treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, tubulitis still occurs and can lead to structural kidney graft damage. We hypothesize that human renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) trigger selective proliferation of recipient T-cell subsets with variable sensitivity to immunosuppressive drugs.