title: Cyclosporin A and tacrolimus reduce T-cell polyfunctionality but not interferon-γ responses directed at cytomegalovirus.
abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) -specific immunity is often estimated by the number of in vitro CMV antigen-inducible interferon-γ-positive (IFN-γ(+) ) T cells. However, recent work indicates that simultaneous production of IFN-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) (referred to as 'polyfunctionality') is more relevant for anti-viral protection. Here, we compared polyfunctionality of CMV-specific T cells (pp65 and IE-1 proteins) in 23 solid-organ transplant patients and seven healthy controls by flow cytometry. The proportions of TNF-α(+) /IFN-γ(+) /IL-2 cells among the activated cells were significantly reduced in transplant patients but not the frequencies of IFN-γ(+) CD8(+) T cells. Immunosuppression reduces polyfunctionality, which reflects the increased infection risk in this patient group.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Immunologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. stephan.fuhrmann@helios-kliniken.de
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fuhrmann
authors.forename: Raskit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lachmann
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Streitz
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hetzer
authors.forename: Hans-Dieter
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lehmkuhl
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus