Rapamycin Promotes the Expansion of CD4+ Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells After Liver Transplantation

L. Lu, X. F. Qian, J. H. Rao, X. H. Wang, S. G. Zheng, F. Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rapamycin can promote the generation and homeostasis of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms by which rapamycin mediates this effect are poorly defined. In this study, we characterized CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs in liver grafts and peripheral blood following rapamycin treatment using a syngeneic liver transplant model. Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed from Lewis (LEW) to LEW rats. In the first 2 weeks the percentage of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs was increased in the liver grafts and blood only among the rapamycin group compared with control group. Conversely, the percentage of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs in the liver graft and blood decreased in the cyclosporine group. In normal rats, rapamycin did not impact the generation of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs in the thymus. Thus, rapamycin can significantly enhance the percentages of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs in the thymus and periphery, indicating that rapamycin favors Tregs expansion and may suppres other CD4+ T cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1755-1757
Number of pages3
JournalTransplantation proceedings
Volume42
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Surgery
  • Transplantation

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