title: Circulating CD4(+)CD28null T Cells May Increase the Risk of an Atherosclerotic Vascular Event Shortly after Kidney Transplantation.
abstract: Proinflammatory CD4(+) T cells without the costimulatory molecule CD28 (CD4(+)CD28null T cells) are expanded in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and associated with atherosclerotic vascular events (AVE). In a prospective study, the number of circulating CD4(+)CD28null T cells was established in 295 ESRD patients prior to receiving a kidney allograft. Within the first year after transplantation, an AVE occurred in 20 patients. Univariate analysis showed that besides a history of cardiovascular disease (CVDpos, HR 8.1, P < 0.001), age (HR 1.04, P = 0.02), dyslipidaemia (HR 8.8, P = 0.004), and the % of CD4(+)CD28null T cells (HR 1.04 per % increase, 95% CI 1.00-1.09, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with the occurrence of a posttransplantation AVE. In a multivariate analysis, only CVDpos remained a significant risk factor with a significant and positive interaction between the terms CVDpos and the % of CD4(+)CD28null T cells (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.11, P < 0.001). Within the CVDpos group, the incidence of an AVE was 13% in the lowest tertile compared to 25% in the highest tertile of % of CD4(+)CD28null T cells. In conclusion, the presence of circulating CD4(+)CD28null T cells is associated with an increased risk for a cardiovascular event shortly after kidney transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology & Transplantation, D414, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michiel G H
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Betjes
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weimar
authors.forename: Nicolle H R
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Litjens