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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1755-1757 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Transplantation proceedings |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2010 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Surgery
- Transplantation