The role of CD8+ T cells during allograft rejection

Autor(es)

V. Bueno ^[1] ; J.O.M. Pestana ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Disciplina de Nefrologia - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Disciplina de Nefrologia - Brasil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 35, n. 11, p. 1247-1258, 2002-11-00.

Resumo

Organ transplantation can be considered as replacement therapy for patients with end-stage organ failure. The percent of one-year allograft survival has increased due, among other factors, to a better understanding of the rejection process and new immunosuppressive drugs. Immunosuppressive therapy used in transplantation prevents activation and proliferation of alloreactive T lymphocytes, although not fully preventing chronic rejection. Recognition by recipient T cells of alloantigens expressed by donor tissues initiates immune destruction of allogeneic transplants. However, there is controversy concerning the relative contribution of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to allograft rejection. Some animal models indicate that there is an absolute requirement for CD4+ T cells in allogeneic rejection, whereas in others CD4-depleted mice reject certain types of allografts. Moreover, there is evidence that CD8+ T cells are more resistant to immunotherapy and tolerance induction protocols. An intense focal infiltration of mainly CD8+CTLA4+ T lymphocytes during kidney rejection has been described in patients. This suggests that CD8+ T cells could escape from immunosuppression and participate in the rejection process. Our group is primarily interested in the immune mechanisms involved in allograft rejection. Thus, we believe that a better understanding of the role of CD8+ T cells in allograft rejection could indicate new targets for immunotherapy in transplantation. Therefore, the objective of the present review was to focus on the role of the CD8+ T cell population in the rejection of allogeneic tissue. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 98/13340-2 - Visualização in vivo da resposta imunológica das efetoras t CD8+ após transplante
• Beneficiário: Valquiria Bueno
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Pesquisa