title: Divergences in KIR2D+ natural killer and KIR2D+CD8+ T-cell reconstitution following liver transplantation.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) and CD8(+) T cells may be active elements in the allograft response, but little is known about their role in liver transplantation. Some of these cells express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), which after binding specific ligands may transmit inhibitory/activating signals. In this study, circulating NK and CD8(+) T cells expressing CD158a/h (KIR2DL1/S1) or CD158b/j (KIR2DL2/3/S(2)) receptors were analyzed in 142 liver recipients by flow cytometry. They were underrepresented in patients before transplantation, but following transplantation, whereas the KIR2D(+) NK subsets experienced a late recuperation (day 365) mainly in C2-homozygous patients developing early acute rejection, recovery of the 2 CD8(+)KIR2D(+) T cells started earlier, showing significant differences on day 365 between patients without acute rejection and those suffering from it (p = 0.004 and p < 0.0001, respectively). These differences were also evident when the human leukocute antigen-C genotypes of the recipient were considered. In conclusion, whereas the late recovery of KIR2D(+) NK cells in C2/C2 patients appears to be linked to acute rejection, the increase in early CD8(+)KIR2D(+) T cells in overall liver recipients correlates with a most successful early graft outcome. Therefore, monitoring of KIR2D(+) cells appears to be a useful tool for liver transplant follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: López-Álvarez
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Campillo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Legaz
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Blanco-García
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salgado-Cecilia
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bolarín
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gimeno
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: García-Alonso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muro
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Alvarez-López
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miras
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minguela
mesh_terms: D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D054340:Receptors, KIR / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D054342:Receptors, KIR2DL1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054342:Receptors, KIR2DL1; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3