Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-Specific Antibody Response and Development of Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Against HCMV After Lung Transplantation. (11th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vietzen, Hannes; Görzer, Irene; Honsig, Claudia; Jaksch, Peter; Puchhammer-Stöckl, Elisabeth
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 222:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 427
• Publication Date: 2020-03-11
• Subjects: ADCC -- gB -- human cytomegalovirus -- neutralization; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa097
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may cause severe infections in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). The impact of the host antibody (AB)-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) on HCMV is still unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the AB-response against HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) and the pentameric complex (PC) and the ADCC response in HCMV-seropositive (R+) LTRs and in seronegative recipients of positive organs (D+/R−). Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 35 R+ and 28 D+/R− LTRs for 1 (R+) or 2 (D+/R−) years posttransplantation and from 114 healthy control persons. The PC- and gB-specific ABs were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ADCC was analyzed by focal expansion assay and CD107 cytotoxicity assay. Results: In R+ LTRs, significantly higher gB-specific AB levels developed within 1 year posttransplantation than in controls (immunoglobulin [Ig]G1, P < .001; IgG3, P < .001). In addition, higher levels of ADCC were observed by FEA and CD107 assay in R+ patients compared with controls ( P < .001). In 23 D+R− patients, HCMV-specific ABs developed. Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity became detectable 3 months posttransplantation in these, with higher ADCC observed in viremic patients. Depletion of gB- and PC-specific ABs revealed that, in particular, gB-specific Abs were associated with the ADCC response. Conclusions: We show that a strong ADCC is elicited after transplantation and is especially based on gB-specific ABs. Abstract : We analyzed the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) nonneutralizing antibody response against the viral glycoprotein B and the pentameric complex in transplant recipients. HCMV response is dominated by glycoprotein B-specific antibodies, which efficiently activate NK cells and induce potent antiviral effector functions.