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. 1993 Sep;93(3):448–451. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1993.tb08199.x

Expression of cytokine genes in human cardiac allografts: correlation of IL-6 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) with histological rejection.

X M Zhao 1, W H Frist 1, T K Yeoh 1, G G Miller 1
PMCID: PMC1554893  PMID: 8370174

Abstract

Cytokines may play critical roles in allograft rejection. Currently, a clear pattern of cytokine production that correlates with rejection has not emerged. Our preliminary studies suggested a trend toward increased IL-6 and TGF-beta gene expression in cardiac allografts during rejection. We have extended these studies using reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) to detect the expression of IL-6, TGF-beta, and T cell receptor beta chain constant region (TCR-beta) genes in 21 additional consecutive myocardial biopsies obtained from six heart transplant patients and from five pre-transplant donor hearts. Cytokine gene expression was compared with histological diagnosis of rejection. There was strong correlation between IL-6 as well as TGF-beta gene expression, and histological rejection (6/8 biopsies with versus 0/7 without rejection (P = 0.006) and 7/9 biopsies with versus 0/7 without rejection (P = 0.003) respectively). Neither IL-6 nor TGF-beta transcripts were detected in any pre-transplant donor heart. TCR-beta chain mRNA was found in all allograft biopsies regardless of the presence of rejection, but was absent in pre-transplant donor hearts. Our results indicate that expression of IL-6 and TGF-beta is highly correlated with allograft rejection and thus may play an important role in regulation of cardiac allograft rejection. T cell infiltration of allografted myocardium is invariably detected by PCR regardless of histological rejection. The long-term functional significance of these cells in transplanted hearts needs further investigation.

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Selected References

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