title: Analysis of CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells in living donor liver transplant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human CD8+CD28- T-suppressor (Ts) cells have been considered to indicate a reduced need for immunosuppression in pediatric liver-intestine transplant recipients and recipients of deceased heart-kidney transplants. However, in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (A-A LDLT) little information is available and the clinical significance is still unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Flow cytometry was used to detect the population of CD8+CD28- Ts cells present in peripheral blood in A-A LDLT recipients (n=31), patients with end-stage liver disease (n=24) and healthy controls (n=19). Meanwhile, we tested the graft function and trough levels of immunosuppression in recipients. The clinical and follow-up data of 31 transplant recipients were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with diseased controls (P=0.007) and healthy individuals (P=0.000), a notable expansion of CD8+CD28- Ts cells was found in recipients of A-A LDLT. This was associated with graft function, levels of immunosuppression and rejection episodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To monitor the CD8+CD28- Ts cells levels is important to evaluate the immune state of recipients. Meanwhile, it is also important to promote expansion of CD8+CD28- Ts cells in recipients of A-A LDLT, not only to sustain good graft function and decrease the dosage of immunosuppressants, but also to reduce the occurrence of rejection.
authors.affiliation: Center of Liver Transplantation and Department of Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lan-Lan
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lu-Nan
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tian-Fu
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000145:classification; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018106:CD28 Antigens