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In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
FoxP3 in peripheral blood is associated with operational tolerance in liver transplant patients during
José A Pons1, Beatriz Revilla-Nuin, Alberto Baroja-Mazo
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Liver Transplant Unit, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (CIBERehd), Murcia, Spain. joseapons@yahoo.es
Background:
Human liver allografts do sometimes survive in a recipient after withdrawal of immunosuppression (IS), commonly referred to as "operational tolerance." Preliminary clinical data have suggested an increase in the frequency of regulatory T cells (Treg) CD4+CD25 high and FoxP3 expression in operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients (Gr-T). In the context of human liver transplantation, the dynamics of Treg have not been studied. We designed a prospective study to ascertain the profile of the Treg population and FoxP3 expression during IS withdrawal.
Methods:
To identify such parameters, we analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations and FoxP3 mRNA expression in 12 liver allograft recipients under cyclosporine A-based IS, who showed stable function of the allograft for more than 2 years.
Results:
An increase was observed in the frequency of CD4+CD25 high cells when the IS was withdrawn in Gr-T patients (n=5). These patients exhibited a 3.5-fold increase for relative mRNA FoxP3 expression before the complete IS withdrawal and this continued when IS therapy was stopped. In patients who suffered rejection (n=7) there was no increase in the CD4+CD25 high cells or FoxP3 expression.
Conclusions:
With the present study, the first evidence is provided that the increase of CD4+CD25 high T cells and FoxP3 transcripts is associated with operational tolerance in liver transplanted patients during IS withdrawal.
