%0 Journal Article %T Interleukin-17 Gene Expression and Serum Levels in Acute Rejected and non-Rejected Liver Transplant Patients %J Iranian Journal of Immunology %I Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research %Z 1735-1383 %A Afshari, Afsoon %A Yaghobi, Ramin %A Karimi, Mohammad Hossein %A Darbooie, Mojtaba %A Azarpira, Negar %D 2014 %\ 03/01/2014 %V 11 %N 1 %P 29-39 %! Interleukin-17 Gene Expression and Serum Levels in Acute Rejected and non-Rejected Liver Transplant Patients %K Acute Rejection %K Interlukin-17 %K Liver Transplantation %R %X Background: Interleukin-17 (IL-17), as a potent proinflammatory cytokine, has a critical role in post liver transplant outcomes. However, there is not much information about the effects of IL-17 cytokine on acute liver rejection. Objective: To evaluate the role of IL-17 in post-liver transplant acute rejection. Methods: Ninety seven adult liver transplant patients who enrolled in this cross sectional study were divided into Non- Acute Rejected (Non-AR) and Acute Rejected (AR) patient groups. Three blood samples were collected from each patient in days 1, 4 and 7 post liver transplantation. The IL-17 mRNA levels were evaluated using an in-house real time PCR protocol. IL- 17 protein levels were also analyzed in Non-AR, AR and also control groups using ELISA method. Results: The IL-17 mRNA expression level continuously increased in AR patients in all days of follow-up post liver transplantation. IL-17 expression was, however, down regulated after day 4 post-transplant follow-up in Non-AR patients. Both IL-17 mRNA expression and protein levels were also significantly increased in AR patients compared with Non-AR ones. Conclusion: Based on these findings, significant increase of IL-17 mRNA and protein levels in AR patients highlights the important role of IL-17 in acute liver rejection. %U https://iji.sums.ac.ir/article_16763_7c67808f6c2223a80f4b7abfcda6ab02.pdf