Changes in T Cells After ABO-Incompatible Liver Transplantation.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Transplantation Science
• Hepatology

Background:

• T lymphocytes are critical for allograft rejection and tolerance.
• Understanding T-cell subset dynamics is vital in liver transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare T-cell subset characteristics between ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation (ABO-I LDLT) and ABO-compatible LDLT (ABO-C LDLT).

Main Methods:

• Sixty-one adult LDLT patients were analyzed between April 2013 and June 2014.
• ABO-I LDLT patients received rituximab; all patients received basiliximab and tacrolimus.
• Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were monitored pre- and post-transplant (4, 8, 12, 24 weeks).

Main Results:

• Eight patients underwent ABO-I LDLT; patient characteristics were similar between groups.
• Absolute lymphocyte counts and CD4+ T cells were significantly lower in the ABO-I group post-LDLT (p=.034, p=.039).
• No significant differences were observed in CD8+ T cells, CD4/CD8 ratio, Vδ1, Vδ2, γδ T cells, Vδ1/Vδ2 ratio, CD3-CD56+ cells, or CD4+Foxp3+ T cells.

Conclusions:

• Post-liver transplant, absolute lymphocyte counts and CD4+ T cell levels differ between ABO-incompatible and ABO-compatible recipients.
• T-cell lymphocyte changes in peripheral blood following ABO-I LDLT are comparable to those in ABO-C LDLT.