Immunological differences between heart- and kidney-transplanted children: a cross-sectional study

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder is a potentially mortal complication after heart transplantation in children. As the immune system plays a crucial role in the development of lymphoma, we explored the influence of thymus function in relation to immunosuppressive treatment in organ-transplanted children and healthy control subjects. A prospective case-control study was performed at a single centre, in which 36 children who had undergone heart transplantation were compared to two control groups: 34 kidney-transplanted children and 33 healthy age- and sex-matched children. T- and B-lymphocyte subtypes and monocytes were analysed by flow cytometry, and T-cell receptor excision circles were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Heart-transplanted children had a lymphocyte profile characterised by reduced or absent thymic function with low numbers of T-cell receptor excision circles and total and naïve T cells, together with immune activation against the allograft. Despite similar immunosuppressive treatment, the kidney-transplanted group showed an activated T-lymphocyte compartment.