Tim-3 mRNA在异基因造血干细胞移植后急性移植物抗宿主病中的作用

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Tim-3 gene expression in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). METHODS: Patients after allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed, this cohort of patients were divided into different groups according to disease states (grade 0–Ⅰ aGVHD group, grade Ⅱ–Ⅳ aGVHD group, improved aGVHD group) and time periods (+14–+30 d, +31–+60 d, +61–+100 d) to compare PBMC Tim-3 mRNA expression and plasma IFN-γ, IL-2 concentrations among them. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed that in grade 0–Ⅰ aGVHD group, Tim-3 mRNA expression in patients +31–+60 d (7.24±2.79) was significantly higher than that in patients + 14–+ 30 d (4.60±1.66) and + 61–+ 100 d (3.86±1.36) (P<0.05). Tim-3 mRNA expressions of grade Ⅱ–Ⅳ aGVHD group in patients +14–+30 d, +31–+60 d, +61–+100 d were 9.54± 3.05, 10.14±3.28, 12.82±4.20, respectively, which in both +14–+30 d and +61–+100 d were significantly higher than that of grade 0–Ⅰ aGVHD and improved aGVHD groups (P<0.05). In patients +31–+60 d, Tim-3 expression of grade Ⅱ–Ⅳ aGVHD group was higher than improved aGVHD group (2.49±0.89), while no statistical difference when compared with grade 0–Ⅰ aGVHD group (7.24±2.79). In grade Ⅱ–Ⅳ aGVHD group, Tim-3 mRNA expression manifested no statistical difference among grades or organ involved (P>0.05). ELISA results showed that plasma IFN-γ and IL-2 concentrations were higher in grade Ⅱ–Ⅳ aGVHD group than of other groups, while no significant difference existed between grade 0–Ⅰ aGVHD and improved aGVHD groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tim-3 played an important role in the process of aGVHD.