CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocyte responses against cytomegalovirus after liver transplantation: correlation with time from transplant to receipt of tacrolimus.

Conference item

The effects of the immunocompromised state after liver transplantation on the frequency of cytomegalovirus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were investigated in 93 patients by using HLA class I tetrameric complexes corresponding to HLA-A*0201, HLA-B*0702, HLA-B*0801, and HLA-B*3501 refolded with peptides from the ppUL83 matrix protein. ppUL83 CTL frequencies were suppressed during the first 6 months after transplantation. Patients with >1 HLA-restricted response detected had high correlation among ppUL83 CD8(+) CTL frequencies restricted by different HLA haplotypes (Spearman's rho=.67; P<.0001). There was an inverse correlation among levels of the calcineurin inhibitor, tacrolimus, and ppUL83 CD8(+) CTL frequencies (r=-.31; P=.005), which is consistent with the presence of a large proportion (70%) of activated (CD38(+)) ppUL83 CD8(+) CTL within the population of HLA class I tetramer-positive cells.

Authors: Hassan-Walker, A; Vargas Cuero, A; Mattes, F; Klenerman, P; Lechner, F

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of infectious diseases
• Volume: 183
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 835-843
• Publication date: 2001-03-01
• Event title: 25th International Herpesvirus Workshop
• DOI: 10.1086/319260
• EISSN: 1537-6613
• ISSN: 0022-1899
• Keywords: Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; Adult; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Viral Matrix Proteins; Time Factors; Lymphocyte Count; Liver Transplantation; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Phosphoproteins; Cytomegalovirus; Tacrolimus; Cells, Cultured; Antigens, Viral; Immunocompromised Host; Humans; Viral Load; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Immunosuppressive Agents; Interferon-gamma; Aged