Efficient T-Cell Compartment in HIV-Positive Patients Receiving Orthotopic Liver Transplant and Immunosuppressive Therapy. (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Franceschini, Erica; De Biasi, Sara; Digaetano, Margherita; Bianchini, Elena; Lo Tartaro, Domenico; Gibellini, Lara; Menozzi, Marianna; Zona, Stefano; Tarantino, Giuseppe; Nasi, Milena; Codeluppi, Mauro; Guaraldi, Giovanni; Magistri, Paolo; Di Benedetto, Fabrizio; Pinti, Marcello; Mussini, Cristina; Cossarizza, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 223:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 482
• Page End: 493
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: T cells -- HIV -- liver transplantation -- ART -- cytokine; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa395
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Background: In patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplant (OLT), immunosuppressive treatment is mandatory and infections are leading causes of morbidity/mortality. Thus, it is essential to understand the functionality of cell-mediated immunity after OLT. The aim of the study was to identify changes in T-cell phenotype and polyfunctionality in human immunodeficiency virus–positive (HIV + ) and –negative (HIV – ) patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment after OLT. Methods: We studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 108 subjects divided into 4 groups of 27: HIV + transplanted patients, HIV – transplanted patients, HIV + nontransplanted patients, and healthy subjects. T-cell activation, differentiation, and cytokine production were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Median age was 55 years (interquartile range, 52–59 years); the median CD4 count in HIV + patients was 567 cells/mL, and all had undetectable viral load. CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell subpopulations showed different distributions between HIV + and HIV – OLT patients. A cluster representing effector cells expressing PD1 was abundant in HIV – transplanted patients and they were characterized by higher levels of CD4 + T cells able to produce interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor–α. Conclusions: HIV – transplanted patients have more exhausted or inflammatory T cells compared to HIV + transplanted patients, suggesting that patients who have already experienced a form of immunosuppression due to HIV infection respond differently to anti-rejection therapy.