IL-10 alleviates aTCMR by inhibiting NFATc1 signaling pathway of T cells after kidney transplantation

Abstract

The cause of acute T cell-mediated rejection (aTCMR) is believed to be immune hyperfunction of T cells after kidney transplantation. Nowadays, calcineurin inhibitors are widely used to inhibit the proliferation of T cells when aTCMR occurs. However, the therapeutic dose window of these drugs is relatively narrow and long time use of these drugs may lead to serious side effects. Besides, whether IL-10, a new immune tolerance mediator, playing a therapeutic role on aTCMR remains unclear. The level of IL-10 decreased in patients with aTCMR, suggesting that IL-10 may be involved in the progression of aTCMR. IL-10 could inhibit the proliferation and metabolism of T cells in vitro and in vivo, accompanied by reducing the levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Moreover, we confirmed that IL-10 exerts immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting the NFATc1 signaling pathway of T cells. This viewpoint may provide a new therapeutic idea for clinical application.