Role of the T-cell receptor in kidney ischemia–reperfusion injury

T cells have been demonstrated to modulate ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) in kidney, lung, liver and intestine. The underlying mechanisms for T-cell engagement in IRI are unknown. We hypothesized that the T-cell receptor (TCR) plays a role in renal IRI, and examined the effects of TCR alpha/beta (αβ) and gamma/delta (γδ) deficiency on ischemic acute renal failure (ARF). TCR-specific deficiency in specific mice was confirmed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis using monoclonal antibodies (Abs). IRI was induced by bilateral clamping of kidney pedicles for 30 min, followed by reperfusion. Serum creatinine and kidney histopathology were used to assess the severity of experimental ARF. TCR αβ-deficient mice were significantly protected from kidney dysfunction compared to wild-type (WT) littermates after IRI (P