Expression of IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA in allograft and peripheral blood of mice subject to skin transplantation

Objective To investigate the expression of IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA in allograft and peripheral blood of mice receiving skin transplantation under different immune states. Methods Mice skin allograft models were established and divided into 3 groups： synergeneic transplant group （BALB/c→BALB/c）, allogeneic transplant group （C57BL/6→BALB/c）, donor spleen cells infusion group （C57BL/6→BALB/c）. Peripheral blood plasma concentration of IL-23 was measured by ELISA. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-23 mRNA in the skin allograft. Results There was no significant difference in the IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA expression among all three groups one day after skin transplantation （P〉0. 05）. On the day 3, 5, and 7 after skin transplantation, there was significant difference in the IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA expression levels between synergeneic transplant group, donor spleen cells infusion group and allogeneic transplant group （P 〈 0. 01 ）, but there was no significant difference between synergeneic transplant group and donor spleen cells infusion group （P〉0. 05）. Conclusion The high expression levels of IL-23 and IL-23 mRNA were detected when early acute rejection took place in recipient mice. IL-23 could serve as a predictable and prognostic marker for the acute rejection. Infusion of donor spleen cells can significantly prolong the allograft survival. Key words: Acute rejection;  IL-23;  mRNA;  Spleen cells