Figure 2. Ex vivo cytokine production by circulating T cells in renal transplant recipients after treatment with tacrolimus, MMF and steroids.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated for 4 hours in the presence of PMA, ionomycin and Brefeldin A. Shown are the percentages IL-2, IL-4, IL-17, IFNγ or TNFα-producing cells within the CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T-cell population of 14 triple immunosuppression-treated patients before transplantation (t = 0) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation (n = 10 at 24 m). Results are shown as box plots displaying the median, 25^th and 75^th percentiles as the box, and the 5^th and 95^th percentiles as whiskers. Significant differences are indicated compared to pre-transplant levels: *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001.