Frequency of dendritic cell subsets and ILT3, ILT4 gene expression in two different immunosuppressive protocols in kidney transplant recipients. A cohort report.

Dendritic cells (DCs) have a major role in the initiation of an immune response and Immunoglobulin-like transcript 3&4 (ILT3&ILT4) are inhibitory receptors that induce tolerance in DCs. Recent studies show that immunosuppressive agents affect frequency of DCs. Herein, we compared the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and sirolimus (SRL) in tacrolimus (TAC)-based immunosuppression on DC subsets frequency and ILT3/ILT4 gene expression in kidney transplant recipients. We enrolled 24 adult transplant recipients who received MMF/TAC (n = 14) or SRL/TAC (n = 10). Peripheral blood samples were obtained from recipients, 24-48 h before transplantation and 4 months after transplantation. The frequency of DC subsets was analyzed by flow cytometry and gene expression of ILT3/ILT4 were estimated by real-time PCR. Our results showed that MMF vs. SRL treated recipient showed an increase in pDC % with increased in the expression of ILT3/ILT4 which is in favor of better allograft survival; However, for confirming the results of this preliminary study, a cohort study with larger sample size is necessary.