T-helper and T-cytotoxic cell subsets monitoring during active cytomegalovirus infection in liver transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study was to analyze the peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets of the Th1-related versus Th2-related cytokines of CD4+ cells, and the Tc1 versus Tc2 cytokines of CD8+ cells liver transplant recipients with versus without active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.


METHODS
Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated using PMA/Ionomycin/Monensin. Interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production by CD4+ and CD8+T cells were determined using fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis.


RESULTS
The ratios of CD4/CD8 were significantly lower among active CMV-infected patients. The levels of Th2 and Tc2 cytokines (IL-4) were similar between CMV-infected and uninfected patients. However, the levels of Th1-type and Tc1-type cytokines (IFN-r) were significantly lower among active CMV-infected patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Low levels of Th1-type cytokines seem to correlate with active CMV infection in liver transplant recipients.
Wang
Y-L
YL
Department of Rheumatosis and Biology, Tianjin Institute of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Organ Transplantation Center of Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China. wang yu_l@yahoo.com
Zhang
Y Y
YY
Zhou
Y-L
YL
Zhu
Z-J
ZJ
Tang
Z-Q
ZQ
Jiang
Y
Y
Peng
L
L
Li
G
G
Zhang
X H
XH
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents