CD127(low) expression in CD4+CD25(high) T cells as immune biomarker of renal function in transplant patients

Noninvasive tests measuring cellular immunity could help predict immunologic risk and subsequent allograft dysfunction in transplant patients. CD25 is a promising marker of activation. Recent descriptions of CD127 expression as a discriminating factor between regulatory and activated T cells suggest its potential utility. Expression of CD127 in CD4+CD25 T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood from 62 renal transplanted patients and 30 healthy controls. Forty patients presented stable graft function and 22 suffered renal failure. Renal transplant patients showed higher levels of CD127(high) and a lower frequency of CD127(low) than healthy controls (0.63% vs. 0.29% [P