Changes in the immune responses against human herpesvirus-8 in the disease course of posttransplant Kaposi sarcoma.
In nine patients with posttransplant Kaposi sarcoma (KS) T-cell responses to human herpesvirus (HHV)-8 latent and lytic antigens, as detected by enzyme-linked-immunospot (Elispot) assay, were absent at disease onset. Virus-specific T-cell responses were detected in six renal recipients at remission after a reduction of calcineurin inhibitors (CIs), and in two HHV-8 seropositive renal recipients without KS. In two liver recipients undergoing switch from CIs to sirolimus (SRL), normalization of the T-cell repertoire and recovery of both HHV-8-specific effector and memory T lymphocytes were associated with complete KS remission. In a renal recipient undergoing SRL conversion, the early recovery of HHV-8-specific effector but not of memory T lymphocytes, was associated only with partial remission. Neither rejection nor changes in graft function were observed after SRL conversion. HHV-8-specific T-cell responses are required to achieve posttransplant KS remission, and may be restored under SRL, while maintaining effective immunosuppression.
Barozzi
Patrizia
P
Department of Oncology and Hematology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliera Policlinico, Via del Pozzo 71, Modena, Italy.
Bonini
Chiara
C
Potenza
Leonardo
L
Masetti
Michele
M
Cappelli
Gianni
G
Gruarin
Paola
P
Whitby
Denise
D
Gerunda
Giorgio E
GE
Mondino
Anna
A
Riva
Giovanni
G
Vallerini
Daniela
D
Quadrelli
Chiara
C
Bosco
Raffaella
R
Ciceri
Fabio
F
Bordignon
Claudio
C
Schulz
Thomas F
TF
Torelli
Giuseppe
G
Luppi
Mario
M
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents