Dynamics in Lymphocyte Subsets with Monoclonal Antibodies in Kidney Transplantation

T lymphocyte subsets have been monitored using monoclonal antibodies (OKT series) in renal allograft recipients. Patients did not receive steroids in postoperative period until rejection crisis appeared. An increase of OKT4 cells (helper/inducer cells) to OKT8 cells (suppressor/cytotoxic cells) ratio with respect to previous values was observed, associated with rejection. After steroid treatment the OKT4/OKT8 ratio decreased in all of them. Our results suggest that an increase of OKT4/OKT8 ratio may herald rejection crisis and that their variations after steroid treatment may reflect the immune response to antirejection therapy.