Korean J Nephrol.  2011 May;30(3):246-252.

Th17 Cells Are Not Directly Associated with Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

• Chang YK
• Choi DE
• Jeong JY
• Choi HJ
• Lim BJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
Interleukin-17-producing T cell (Th17 cell) is a newly discovered subtype of helper T cell. Its function and importance in the pathogenesis of a broad range of immune diseases are under active investigation. However, little is currently known about the role of Th17 cells in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury of the kidney, a common pathophysiologic occurrence in various renal disease processes.
METHODS
We measured the number of infiltrated T lymphocytes and Th17 cells in C57Bl/6 mouse kidneys in sham-operated controls and following varying degrees of renal IR injury induced by renal pedicle clamping and reperfusion. The cell count results were compared to accompanying histologic damage and serum creatinine levels after 35 min and 45 min of ischemia, and following reperfusion of 48, 72, 96, and 168 hrs.
RESULTS
The number of T lymphocytes increased as ischemia time increased. However, the number of Th17 cells was not significantly affected by prolonged ischemia and reperfusion. Furthermore, the degree of histologic damage and serum creatinine levels did not correlate with the T lymphocyte and Th17 cell count numbers.
CONCLUSION
We did not observe any evidence that Th17 cells are directly linked to renal tissue damage caused by IR injury. The role and importance of helper T cells in renal IR injury need to be evaluated further in the light of the interaction with Th1, Th2, and regulatory T cells rather than Th17 alone.

Keyword

Th17 cells; Acute kidney injury; Ischemia; Reperfusion injury

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Animals
Cell Count
Constriction
Creatinine
Immune System Diseases
Ischemia
Kidney
Light
Lymphocytes
Mice
Reperfusion
Reperfusion Injury
T-Lymphocytes
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
Th17 Cells
Creatinine