PATTERN OF CYTOKINE EXPRESSION IN CIRCULATION CD57(-CELLS FROM LONG-TERM RENAL-ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS() T)

We made a quantitative analysis of the lymphokine mRNA and of proteins produced by CD57(+) and CD57(-) circulating T cells isolated from lon g-term kidney-transplanted patients with expanded CD4+/CD57(+) and CD8 (+)/CD57(+) T cells, and from normal individuals. We concentrated on I L-2 and IFN-gamma,which define a Th1-like type of lymphokine productio n, and on IL-4 which defines a Th-2-like type. We also analysed the pr oduction of IL-10 which is endowed with inhibitory effects on IL-2 and IFN-gamma synthesis, and of TNF-alpha, a pleiotropic inflammatory cyt okine. On ionomycin + PMA stimulation, which reveals the intrinsic pot ential of lymphokine production by T cells, the CD57(+) T cell subsets from all individuals produced high amounts of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha mRNA and protein. They also produced IL-2, but to a much lesser exten d than their CD57(-) counterparts, and little IL-4 and IL-10. They wer e no more capable of producing IL-2 when stimulated through the CD3/TC R in the presence of monocytes, yet still synthesized IFN-gamma. Our d ata suggest that the in vivo expansion of CD57(+) T cells in stable al lograft renal recipients might correspond to Th1 energized cells which on triggering of cell surface receptors hardly secrete lymphokines in volved in cell cycle progression, but can still exert some effector fu nctions, including IFN-gamma secretion.