The cardiovascular and immunological impact of immune suppression in kidney transplant recipients: from calcineurin inhibitors to belatacept

Abstract

A cohort of kindey transplant recipients that participated in an international clinical trial were studied. They all were randomized to receive either a continuation of standard calcineurin-inhibitor-therapy, or to convert to belatacept. CNIs are assumed to be more toxic to cardiovascular system and to cause renal failure as a side effect. In four brad-ranging experiments, differences in cardiovascular, infectiologic, immunologic and endothelial-specific changes were evaluated. The findings were put in a broader context of developments in immunosuppression in kidney transplantation.