[Amplification of a circulating CD4+CD7- T lymphocytes subset in kidney transplantation]

A minor subset of CD4+ T-cells (10 +/- 4 percent) that does not express the CD7 antigen is detectable in normal individuals. These CD4+CD7- T-cells have lower proliferative capacities than autologous CD4+CD7- T-cells. We observed an expansion of CD4+CD7- peripheral T-cells in 45 kidney transplant recipients. The CD4+CD7- TL expansion (23 +/- 20 percent was observed in both short term (< 6 months, n = 20) and long term transplanted patients (> 3 years, n = 25). These results significantly differed from those observed in patients on dialysis (10 +/- 4 percent, P < 0.002). The percentages of CD4+CD7- TL in kidney recipients are significantly correlated with the percentages of CD4+CD57+ and CD8+CD57+ T-cells subsets. A three-color immunofluorescence analysis indicated that 75 percent of the CD4+CD7- TL express the CD57 molecule contrasting with those in normal individuals (0.3 percent). Purified CD4+CD7- T-cells from kidney recipients have lower proliferative responses after PHA, CD2 and CD3 stimulations than autologous CD4+CD7+ TL. The proliferative response is partially restored by the addition of anti-CD28 moAb or IL2. We have highlighted, in kidney recipients with good graft function, an expansion of CD4+CD7- T lymphocytes which could be associated with CD4+ T-cell anergy and tolerance.