The relationship between CXCL11, CXCL13, CCl2 and CCl5 gen expressions and allograft function in patients underwent renal transplantation

Objectives and aims: Patients with renal transplantation due to end-stage renal disease have a longer life expectancy and better quality of life than other renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. After kidney transplantation, graft function is monitorized with serum creatinine level and existance of proteinuria. However, the levels of both markers increase only after graft damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CXCL 11, CXCL13, CCL2 and CCL5 gene expressions before graft damage occurs in relation to graft function in patients underwent renal transplantation. Patients and Methods: Between April 2013 and March 2019, a total of 92 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 36-year-old (min:18, max: 65). CXCL11, CXCL13, CCL2 and CCL5 gene expressions were evaluated in urine samples taken preoperatively and at postoperative 1st day, 7th day, 1st month and 3rd month. Results: CXCL11 and CXCL13 gene expression levels at the 1st, 7th day (p <0.001) and 1st month (p <0.05) after transplantation were significantly higher in patients who developed rejection compared to patients with stable graft function. CCL2 gene expression level was statistically higher in patients with rejection on the 1st and 7th days after transplantation (p <0.05). The expression level of CCL 5 was higher in the rejection group only on the seventh day after transplantation (p <0.05). In addition one month after the transplantation, we found that CXCL11 gene expression level was approximately 4 times higher in patients who had BK virus in their follow-up. Conclusion: Follow-up of allograft function after kidney transplantation is a very important issue. When all the findings are evaluated, CXCL11, CXCL13, CCL2 and CCL5 gene expression levels are closely related to allograft rejection and it is thought that urine or serum protein levels of these chemokines can be used as biomarkers in predicting allograft rejection.