Thymic function is a major determinant of onset of antibody‐mediated rejection in heart transplantation. Issue 4 (23rd December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sannier, A.; Stroumza, N.; Caligiuri, G.; Le Borgne‐Moynier, M.; Andreata, F.; Senemaud, J.; Louedec, L.; Even, G.; Gaston, A. T.; Deschildre, C.; Couvelard, A.; Ou, P.; Cheynier, R.; Nataf, P.; Dorent, R.; Nicoletti, A.
• Is Part Of: American journal of transplantation. Volume 18:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 964
• Page End: 971
• Publication Date: 2017-12-23
• Subjects: basic (laboratory) research/science -- heart (allograft) function/dysfunction -- heart transplantation/cardiology -- immunobiology -- immunosuppressant ‐ polyclonal preparations: rabbit antithymocyte globulin -- monitoring: immune -- rejection: antibody‐mediated (ABMR) -- thymus/thymic biology -- translational research/science; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14595
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1600-6135

Abstract

Abstract : Thymic function decreases progressively with age but may be boosted in certain circumstances. We questioned whether heart transplantation was such a situation and whether thymic function was related to the onset of rejection. Twenty‐eight antithymocyte globulin–treated heart transplant recipients were included. Patients diagnosed for an antibody‐mediated rejection on endomyocardial biopsy had a higher proportion of circulating recent thymic emigrant CD4+ T cells and T cell receptor excision circle levels than other transplanted subjects. Thymus volume and density, assessed by computed tomography in a subset of patients, was also higher in patients experiencing antibody‐mediated rejection. We demonstrate that thymic function is a major determinant of onset of antibody‐mediated rejection and question whether thymectomy could be a prophylactic strategy to prevent alloimmune humoral responses. Abstract : Heart transplant patients diagnosed with antibody‐mediated rejection display more thymic function as assessed through the quantification of recent thymic emigrants and T cell receptor excision circles as well as thoracic computed tomography.