BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation is the most effective method of treatment in end-stage renal disease. Chronic allograft rejection still remains a challenge for transplant physicians. Despite a growing amount of data regarding the role of platelets (PLT) in immunological processes, few reports have correlated number of platelets with transplanted kidney function. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between number of circulating platelets and number of immune system cells, including lymphocytes CD 4+, CD8+, lymphocytes B, monocytes, NK cells, and lymphocytes T reg in kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 100 kidney transplant recipients (ages 20–78 years) 10 month to 10 years after transplantation. The numbers of platelets (using standard procedure) and immune blood cells were evaluated using flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed with Spearman rank correlation.

RESULTS: We found a negative correlation between number of platelets and number of lymphocytes T reg, and a positive correlation between platelet count and number of other examined immunocompetent cells.

CONCLUSIONS: The number of PLT correlates with number of cells responsible for induction and effector mechanisms of acquired cellular response.

Keywords: Kidney Transplantation, blood platelets, lymphocytes CD4+ CD25+, NK cells