Role of IL-β in the acute rejection of rats heart transplantation

Objective:To detect the expression and changes of IL-1β in the rats heart transplantation, and assess the effect IL-1β on the acute rejection in rats heart transplantation. Method:A simplified heterotopic heart transplantation model, inbred SD and wistar rats were used as donors and recipients respectively in allogeneic transplantation. In synogeneic transplantation, both the donors and recipients were Wistar rats. Twenty allografts and twenty isografts were assessed daily by palpation to observe graft's viability. In every time point, five allografts and five isografts were used to detect IL-1β mRNA expression. The allografts and isografts were harvested on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. After the total RNA was prepared, the control primer and target primer were amplified in the same tube. The average ratio of the target products' pixel volume to control's was calculated, by which the coordinates chart was made to detect the expression level of IL-1β mRNA directly. Result:The levels of IL-1β mRNA expression in allografts were much higher than those in isografts. The peak of elevated level of the IL-1β mRNA expressions appeared on the first day post-transplantation, and prior to the peak of the allografts dead time. Conclusions:The experiment suggested that IL-1β may play an important role in rejection of heart transplantation. The determination of IL-1β mRNA expression may serve as a useful immunologic method for diagnosing acute rejection.