Soluble CD30 as a predictor of kidney graft outcome

Background, In the present study, we investigated whether the soluble form of CD30 (sCD30), a marker for T helper 2-type cytokine-producing T cells, is increased in sera of potential kidney graft recipients. We also investigated whether the pretransplantation serum sCD30 content is related to kidney graft survival. Methods. Pretransplantation sera of 844 cadaver kidney recipients from three transplant centers in Germany were tested for serum sCD30 content using a commercially available ELISA kit. Results. Kidney graft recipients showed a significantly higher serum sCD30 content than healthy controls (P<0.0001). High sCD30 serum content was associated with graft rejection. The 2-year graft survival rate in recipients with a high pretransplantation serum sCD30 was 68+/-6%, significantly lower than the 86+/-1% rate in recipients with a low sCD30 (P<0.0001). Importantly, high sCD30 was indicative of an increased risk of graft loss even in recipients without lymphocytotoxic alloantibodies. Conclusion. These data show that an elevated pretransplantation serum sCD30 reflects an immune state that is detrimental for kidney graft survival.