[The level of IL-2 and IL-6 in stimulated peripheral lymphocyte supernatants of kidney transplant recipients can predict acute renal allograft rejection]

Objective To detect the expressions of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-6 using in vitro lymphocyte stimulation and flow cytometric microcarrier assay, and explore the feasibility of the method for predicting the acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients. Methods Using phorbol myfismte acetate (PMA)/ionomycin, we stimulated the peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro from 52 kidney transplant recipients, including 22 ones with acute rejection (AR) and 30 with stable allograft function (STA). Eight hours later, we detected the expressions of IL-2 and IL-6 in cell culture supernatant by flow cytometric microcarrier assay. IL-2 and IL-6 expressions were compared between in the stimulated cell culture supernatant and in the unstimulated plasma, as well as between the two groups to evaluate the ability of the method predicting the acute rejection. Results The expressions of IL-2 and IL-6 in the AR group were significantly higher than those in the STA group after the peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated. In both of the groups, the expressions of IL-2 and IL-6 in stimulated lymphocyte culture supernatants were significantly higher than those in the unstimulated plasma. The sensitivity and specificity of combined IL-2 and IL-6 detection in stimulated lymphocyte culture supernatants for predicting the acute rejection were 81.8% and 90%, respectively, which were higher than the individual sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion The method of detecting both IL-2 and IL-6 expressions in stimulated peripheral lymphocyte culture supernatants by flow microsphere carrier assay had good sensitivity and specificity for predicting the acute renal allograft rejection in kidney transplant recipients.