DNA binding activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells in mononuclear cells from renal transplant patients with and without BK virus viruria

Wen-Yao Yin^{a, b}, Ning-Sheng Lai^{b, c}, Ming-Che Lee^{b, d}, Chia-Li Yu^e, Shiang-Long Huangf, Ming-Chi Lu^{b, c}

^a Department of General Surgery, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
^b School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
^c Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
^d Department of General Surgery, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
^e Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
^f Department of Medical Research, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan

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Abstract
Objectives

Renal transplant patients receive calcineurin inhibitors to suppress the calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway. The DNA binding activity of NFAT and its relationship to the reactivation of BK virus (BKV) has not been evaluated in renal transplant patients.

Patients and Methods

The DNA binding activity of NFAT cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 26 renal transplant patients and 26 healthy controls. At the same time, their urinary BKV viral load was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The activity of NFATc1 was lower in renal transplant patients without BKV viruria [BKV (−)] than in healthy controls, while it trended to be higher in renal transplant patients with BKV viruria [BKV (+)] than in BKV (−) patients. The tacrolimus blood levels did not differ between BKV (+) and BKV (−) renal transplant patients or correlate with NFATc1 activity.

Conclusion

NFATc1 DNA binding activity was lower in renal transplant patients without BKV viruria than in those who were BKV (+). However, there was no relationship between tacrolimus blood levels and NFATc1 activity in renal transplant patients.

Keywords
BK virus; Calcineurin nuclear factor of activated T cells; Renal transplantation; Tacrolimus