We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Anti‐thymocyte globulin‐mediated immunosenescent alterations of T cells in kidney transplant patients.
- Authors
Lee, Ga Hye; Lee, Jee Youn; Jang, Jiyeon; Kang, Yeon Jun; Choi, Seung Ah; Kim, Hyeon Chang; Park, Sungha; Kim, Myoung Soo; Lee, Won‐Woo
- Abstract
Objectives: Kidney transplant (KT) is the most effective treatment for end‐stage renal disease. The immunosuppressant anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) has been applied for induction therapy to reduce the risk of acute transplant rejection for patients at high immunological risk. Despite its putative role in replicative stress during immune reconstitution, the effects of ATG on T‐cell immunosenescent changes remain to be understood. Methods: Phenotypic and functional features of senescent T cells were examined by flow cytometry in 116 healthy controls (HC) and 95 KT patients for comparative analysis according to ATG treatment and CMV reactivation. The TCR repertoire was analysed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of KT patients. Results: T cells of KT patients treated with ATG (ATG+) show typical immunosenescent features, accumulation of CD28−, CD85j+ or CD57+ T cells, and imbalance of functional T‐cell subsets, compared with untreated KT patients (ATG−). Plasma IL‐15 and CMV‐IgG levels were higher in KT patients than in HCs, and the IL‐15 level positively correlated with the frequency of CD28− T cells in KT patients. ATG+ patients had a higher prevalence of CMV reactivation, which is associated with an increased frequency of CD28− T cells. As a result, ATG+ patients had expanded CMV‐specific T cells and decreased TCR diversity. However, proliferation, cytokine‐producing capacity and polyfunctionality of T cells were preserved in ATG+ patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ATG treatment contributes to the accumulation of senescent T cells, which may have lifelong clinical implications in KT patients. Thus, these patients require long‐term and comprehensive immune monitoring.
- Subjects
T cells; MONONUCLEAR leukocytes; KIDNEY transplantation; CHRONIC kidney failure; GRAFT rejection
- Publication
Clinical & Translational Immunology, 2022, Vol 11, Issue 11, p1
- ISSN
2050-0068
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/cti2.1431