RANTES CHEMOKINE EXPRESSION IN CELL-MEDIATED TRANSPLANT REJECTION OF THE KIDNEY

RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secrete d) is a chemotactic cytokine (a chemokine) for memory T lymphocytes, m onocytes, and eosinophils. RANTES expression was studied in renal allo graft biopsy specimens. Although RANTES was not expressed in samples,t aken one hour after transplantation, or in native renal biopsy specime ns from patients with cyclosporin nephrotoxicity, it was expressed dur ing cell-mediated transplant rejection. RANTES mRNA was detected in in filtrating mononuclear cells and renal tubular epithelium, and RANTES protein was localised to mononuclear cells, tubular epithelium, and va scular endothelium. This suggests RANTES has a role in allograft rejec tion.