Abstract： Objective To investigate the influence of immunosuppression strategy optimization on the outcomes of the renal transplant recipients in the last decades. Methods Data from 404 renal transplant recipients from Jan. 1st, 2001 to Dec. 31st, 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into early transplant group (n = 260) and late transplant group (n= 144). The change of immunosuppression strategy included a low dose antithymoglobin (ATG) induction, a quick corticosteroid reduction and mycophenolate mofetil therapeutic monitoring with calcineurin inhibitor minimization. Recipients' gender,age, donor type, induction therapy, immunosuppression regime, occurrences of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), severe pulmonary infection and patient/allograft survival were compared between groups. A Cox regression model was used to investigate the factors that influenced the allograft survival. Results The follow-up rate was 98. 3 % in this study. The median follow-up period was 65 month (1-112 months). The proportion of ATG induction in late transplant group was significantly higher than in early transplant group (78. 5 % versus 31. 9 %, P<0. 01). The severe pulmonary infection rate was lower in late transplant group, while the BPAR rate was comparable between two groups. The allograft survival rate was significantly higher in late transplant group. Severe pulmonary infection was correlated with patient/allograft survival in Cox regression model. Conclusion The improvement of outcome in renal transplant recipients in our center is related to the optimization of immunosuppression strategy that reduces the severe pulmonary infection rate with no increase in BPAR.