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. 2024 Nov 7;16(11):e73185.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.73185. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Evaluating Interleukin-2 and Its Receptors As Indicators of Acute Renal Graft Rejection

Athina Gompou  1   2 , Despoina N Perrea  3 , Theodore Karatzas  3   4 , Anastasia Kastania  5 , Aikaterini Dimaki  1 , Emmanouil M Xydias  6 , Ioannis Boletis  2 , Alkiviadis Kostakis  7
Affiliations

Evaluating Interleukin-2 and Its Receptors As Indicators of Acute Renal Graft Rejection

Athina Gompou et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that exerts its actions via binding to a variety of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R), thereby stimulating T-cell response. Acute renal graft rejection (AR) is known to be mediated by CD8+ T-cells, through the IL-2 pathway. The aim of this study was to determine whether IL-2 and IL-2R could work as prognostic biomarkers of AR. Methods IL-2, IL-2R and Cystatin-C levels were measured in the serum of 50 patients who underwent a kidney transplant, once pre-operatively and at four different time points post-operatively (second, sixth, 14th day and third month). Of the total number of patients, ultimately 10 (20%) had an episode of AR. Results No statistically significant difference in IL-2 levels was found between those who experienced AR and those who did not, at any of the studied time points. On the other hand, measurement of IL-2R levels on the sixth and 14th day post-operatively showed that people with AR had a statistically significant increase in its value compared to patients who did not have an AR episode (p=0.027 and p=0.019, respectively). In addition, comparing the values ​​of IL-2R with that of Cystatin-C in different time periods, it was found that there is a significant positive linear correlation on the second and sixth postoperative day between the values ​​of the associated parameters (r=0.280, p=0.049 and r=0.372, p=0.008 respectively). Conclusion The measurement of IL-2R from the sixth to 14th postoperative day could be used as a reliable prognostic biomarker of AR, however additional studies and standardised diagnostic thresholds are required before the routine clinical application is feasible.

Keywords: acute graft rejection; cystatin-c; interleukin 2; prognostic biomarker; renal transplant surgery; soluble interleukin-2 receptor.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine Bioethics and Conduct Committee issued approval 12139. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Correlation between IL-2R and Cystatin-C values on second and sixth post-Tx days.
There is a statistically significant positive correlation between the values of the two parameters during (A) the second-day post-Tx (r=0.280, p=0.049) and (B) the sixth-day post-Tx (r=0.372, p=0.008). IL-2R: interleukin 2 receptor; post-Tx: post-transplantation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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