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| Analysis of CD8+?CD28– T-suppressor cells in living donor liver transplant recipients |
| Yi-Xin Lin, Lan-Lan Wang, Lu-Nan Yan, Pei Cai, Bo Li, Tian-Fu Wen and Yong Zeng |
Chengdu, China
Author Affiliations: Center of Liver Transplantation and Department of Surgery (Lin YX, Yan LN, Li B, Wen TF and Zeng Y), Division of Clinical Immunology and Department of Laboratory Medicine (Wang LL and Cai P), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
Corresponding Author: Lu-Nan Yan, MD, Center of Liver Transplantation and Department of Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China (Tel: 86-28-85422475; Fax: 86-28-85422077; Email: yanlvnan_phd@126.com) |
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Abstract BACKGROUND: Human CD8+ CD28- T-suppressor (Ts) cells have been considered to indicate a reduced need for immunosuppression in pediatric liver-intestine transplant recipients and recipients of deceased heart-kidney transplants. However, in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (A-A LDLT) little information is available and the clinical significance is still unknown.
METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to detect the population of CD8+ CD28- Ts cells present in peripheral blood in A-A LDLT recipients (n=31), patients with end-stage liver disease (n=24) and healthy controls (n=19). Meanwhile, we tested the graft function and trough levels of immunosuppression in recipients. The clinical and follow-up data of 31 transplant recipients were analyzed.
RESULTS: Compared with diseased controls (P=0.007) and healthy individuals (P=0.000), a notable expansion of CD8+ CD28- Ts cells was found in recipients of A-A LDLT. This was associated with graft function, levels of immunosuppression and rejection episodes.
CONCLUSIONS: To monitor the CD8+ CD28- Ts cells levels is important to evaluate the immune state of recipients. Meanwhile, it is also important to promote expansion of CD8+ CD28- Ts cells in recipients of A-A LDLT, not only to sustain good graft function and decrease the dosage of immunosuppressants, but also to reduce the occurrence of rejection.
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2009, Vol. 8 
