Are critical regulatory T cells present in the peri-nephric fat of human kidney allografts?

Principal Researcher – Kerry Burke

Kidney transplantation can be a life-enhancing and life-saving procedure for patients with end stage kidney disease. T-regulatory cells are immune cells which have an essential role in regulating immune reactions including rejections of transplanted organs. They have been found in many areas of the body, but to date have not been tested for in the fat around the kidney. This study aims to identify whether these T-regulatory cells are present in the fat around the donated kidney, as along with the kidney, a variable amount of fat is also transplanted and this could affect outcomes including kidney rejection. If these cells are detected, it may point to another immunological pathway which could affect transplant outcomes. It may then identify a need to accurately quantify the amount of fat transplanted.