Cytomegalovirus specific polyfunctional T-cell responses expressing CD107a predict control of CMV infection after liver transplantation

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load after liver transplantation (LT) is controlled by cell mediated immune responses (CMI). Quantification of CMV-specific T-cells may identify patients who control CMV spontaneously and avoid expensive and potentially toxic antiviral therapies. Prospective post-LT clinical, virological and immunological monitoring was carried out up to 1-year post-LT in a cohort of adult recipients. The CMV-specific T-cell response was characterized using flow cytometry intracellular cytokine staining in 49 LT recipients-R (79.6% R+, 20.4% R-). CMV infection occurred in 24 patients (18 D+/R+ and 6 D+/R-). Only patients with undetectable polyfunctional CMV-specific CD4+ T-cells developed CMV infection. Predictive models showed that polyfunctional CMV-specific CD4+ T-cells pre-existing before LT are protective for CMV reactivation posttransplantation. Quantitation of CD4+ T-cell responses to CMV may be a useful marker for spontaneous control of viral replication to tailor antiviral prophylaxis after LT.

Keywords: Cell mediated immune responses; Cytomegalovirus; Intracellular cytokine staining; Liver transplantation.